As impressive as Victor Wembanyama has been since entering the NBA in 2023, this season has validated every bit of the hype surrounding him. He not only posted career highs in scoring and rebounding, but also led the league in blocks for a third consecutive year to become the youngest and first-ever unanimous DPOY.
More importantly, he converted individual success to team success, leading the San Antonio Spurs to the second seed in the Western Conference.
And that rapid yet consistent rise has left legends like Rick Mahorn in awe. Speaking on the Cedric Maxwell Podcast, Mahorn didn’t hold back in praising the two-way dominance of the 7’4″ French phenom.
“This dude can block shots anywhere. He has impeccable timing on both sides of the basket. The dude can shoot 3s,” Mahorn said. “This is a big dude that can rally play all positions.”
Ric says Wemby is unlike any 7’4″ specimen ever
Interestingly, Mahorn went as fr as to claim that, despite the league previously seeing players 7’4″ or taller, none have been as complete or impactful as Wemby on both ends of the floor.
“We’ve seen a Yao Ming, we’ve seen a Manute Bol. We have seen guys that 7’5″ or whatever. Ralph Sampson was a specimen, but injuries decimated him. This man? You can’t beat him. He’s got the right name, alien. I don’t know how I’ll be able to stop this dude,” Mahorn added. “He’s a Rubik’s Cube.”
Historically, giants like Sampson, Manute and Ming brought size, rim protection and interior scoring, but their games were largely confined to traditional big-man roles. So, once a smaller guard ran past them, or they were expected to create shots on their own, they struggled massively.
Wemby, however, is redefining that archetype. He can stretch the floor, as evidenced by his over 34 percent three-point shooting (career). Moreover, he seems comfortable scoring with fadeaway jumpers or mid-range shots and can even create his own looks off the dribble.
Put simply, whether driving to the rim as a “freight train” like LeBron James, dishing out passes like Magic Johnson, or using his 8-foot wingspan and agility to quickly block multiple shots, Wemby can do it all. The only thing for him is to secure a long career and not struggle with recurrent injuries like other big men of his size have in their respective careers.
Related: “Inspired me in so many ways” – Victor Wembanyama praises Rudy Gobert’s role in his road to NBA stardom
The legend of Wembanyama continues
And if Wemby’s performance wasn’t otherworldly just yet, he showed he is capable of delivering performances never seen before.
In his first-ever second-round playoff appearance, Victor registered seven blocks in the first half alone against the Minnesota Timberwolves — the most by a Spurs player in a playoff half since 1997 — just one shy of Dwight Howard’s postseason record in the play-by-play era.
He didn’t slow down either. By the end of the third quarter, Wemby had blocks in double digits and ultimately finished with 12. He ended the night with 11 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocks, which unfortunately went in a losing cause.
Performance like this underlines Mahorn’s point — Wembanyama isn’t just another tall prospect; he’s a completely new blueprint for a big men. And the scary part is that the French phenom is only 22 and is getting started.
Related: Victor Wembanyama on ‘very disappointing’ handling of his concussion protocol: “Not on the Spurs end”
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
