San Antonio Spurs young superstar Victor Wembanyama is steadily developing into one of the most dominant and unique players the league has ever seen. Like any big man, he is compared to two names, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal, who defined what dominance means on the low block.
However, former coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy believes the 7’4″ Frenchman is something entirely different, highlighting that Wemby has taken big man development to a whole new level.
The NBA on Prime game analyst spoke about it on his appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” sharing how in his long involvement in basketball, he has not seen anything like what the 7’4″ Frenchman Wembanyama has been doing, different from how Wilt and Shaq developed their game.
“I think what we’ve seen, right, has been a total transformation in how big men are developed in this day and age. And so, you know, when Shaq was coming up and even more so when Wilt was coming up, those guys played near the basket and that’s the skill set that was developed,” Van Gundy said.
“Now, these guys are developed like everybody else with well-rounded skills. And I think particularly a guy like Wembanyama… who was brought up with guard skills and he’s 7 foot 4. I mean, he’s a true unicorn… He blows my mind. I’ve been around this game a long time. You think you’ve seen it all and then you see Victor Wembanyama,” the former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic coach added.
Wilt and Shaq
That Wemby is being spoken of so highly this early in his career is a testament to what he has been showcasing and what he still has to offer, considering how Wilt and Shaq were dominance personified during their time.
Chamberlain was an anomaly with his talent at 7’1″. He dominated the 1960s like no other with his uncanny mix of size, strength and athleticism.
He practically did it all on his way to insane career averages of 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, 5.4 blocks and 4.4 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field. Chamberlain was a two-time NBA champion, a four-time MVP and among the leaders in every statistical category by the time he retired in 1973.
O’Neal had the same impact as Chamberlain in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was more ferocious, though, during his prime as he made full use of his 7’1″ and over 320-pound frame, combined with elite footwork and quickness, to wreak havoc in the paint.
Shaq went on to win four NBA titles and an MVP while compiling career norms of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 58.2 percent shooting. Even to this day, he is widely viewed as one of the most feared players in NBA history.
“No matter who the opponent is, just go out and kill him,” O’Neal shared of the mindset he had while he was still playing. “If he’s small, short, big, fat, tall, just go out and kill him…take no prisoners.”
Related: Shaquille O’Neal on not using his fame in restaurants: “My boys are amazed I don’t skip the line”
Banner campaign for Wemby
Wembayama is currently playing in his third season in the NBA and is having a banner campaign. He averaged career highs of 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 51.2 percent shooting as he led the Spurs to a 62-20 regular-season record and a return trip to the playoffs after six years.
Wemby is among the finalists for the MVP award, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, while becoming the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner.
In the playoffs, Wembanyama is still at it, posting norms of 20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 blocks, with the Spurs just a win away from advancing to the Western Conference finals.
For all he brings to the floor and more, there is no denying that Wemby is a true generational talent. And the great thing is, fans still have plenty of time to enjoy and appreciate it.
Related: The NBA’s decision about Victor Wembanyama’s punishment shows how hypocritical the league is
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
