Victor Wembanyama Sends a Bold Statement: ‘Opponents Should Be Worried in the Coming Years’

After losing the gold medal game to Team USA, https://sportsgroovy.com/stephon-castle-is-thrilled-to-team-up-with-victor-wembanyama/ made a strong statement to the media: “I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in the next couple of years,” he told SAEN columnist Mike Finger. When asked if he was referring to FIBA opponents or the NBA, Victor confidently replied, “Everywhere.”

Could Victor Become the Best Player in the World Soon?

Jacob Douglas: I might be biased due to the fact I’m a Spurs fan, however, I think Wembanyama is already the favorite to become the first-rate participant within the global. The NBA is complete of young stars like Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic (who’s nonetheless simplest 25!), however, Wembanyama has risen faster than even them, becoming a right away celebrity. His speedy improvement may want to quickly position him beforehand of all of us else.

He’s already the league’s most impactful defender. His leap shot progressed for the duration of the Olympics, and he’s seeing the ground properly as a passer. The best things he desires now are greater experience and time to construct power in opposition to difficult defenses. He has all the gear, and his mentality shows he’s determined a winner. With his size, ability, and mental electricity, he has the whole lot it takes to be exceptional inside the NBA.

Jesus Gomez: There’s an amazing hazard he’ll be one of the top players. The handiest component that could slow him down is accidents. He’s too proficient and physically talented to be whatever less than a pinnacle-5 player inside the league as soon as his bounce shot becomes steady and he cuts down on silly turnovers. Whether he becomes the best will depend on how other young stars develop and how quickly today’s MVP-level players decline. Right now, it looks like a race between Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards for the top spot by 2028.

J.R. Wilco: The only part of this question that makes me pause is “next couple of years” — and I’m usually cautious with these predictions. But I feel confident about this: it’s not a question of if Wembanyama will become the best, but when. He has all the talent, he’s eager to learn, and he’s so dedicated that he even sticks to his bedtime, no matter who wants to hang out with him. If there’s anyone likely to fulfill their potential, it’s Wembanyama, who has all the talent in the world. So, yes, I think it’s very likely.

Can Victor Lead France to Gold in 2028?

Douglas: Basketball is a team game. Wembanyama led all scorers inside the gold medal game, however France couldn’t defeat a stacked Team USA. He’ll need quite a few assists in 2028, especially because the U.S. Isn’t short on younger expertise with players like Edwards, Booker, and Banchero. Fortunately, France has promising young players like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and Zacharie Risacher. With a top Wembanyama and some developing younger gamers, France should project Team USA in Los Angeles.

Gomez: France’s basketball pipeline has produced loads of expertise in the past decade. More NBA-quality gamers are on the way, like Nolan Traore, who might the shield France ignored in 2024. It will depend upon how men like Risacher, Sarr, and Coulibaly increase, however, I assume it’s practical to see France and Canada as serious threats to Team USA’s dominance. The U.S. Will continually be the most important superpower in global basketball, however, teams like France, with Wembanyama leading the way, have a shiny destiny. I can see any other USA-France gold medal sport in 2028.

Wilco: Without the 4th quarter surge from Steph Curry inside the gold medal sport, France might have been in a role to win even in 2024. Sure, other U.S. Gamers like Durant or LeBron might have stepped up, but my factor is that France was just a few factors away from taking it all the way down to the cord. That’s as near as you can ask for in a sport in which something can take place. Can Wembanyama get his country-wide crew over the hump? I wouldn’t guess about it.

Why Is Wembanyama Seen as Confident but Not Arrogant?

Douglas: Wembanyama’s quotes sometimes come close to arrogance, especially with how he embraces the “alien” nickname. But then he talks about the universe guiding his destiny, and I realize he’s just a down-to-earth guy who believes in himself. It’s hard to explain, but Victor Wembanyama delivers a statement in such a matter-of-fact way that it seems like there’s no other answer.

Gomez: His calm tone plays a big role. He says things that might get others in trouble, but he does it so calmly that you don’t realize it’s bold until you read it later. He’s also backed up his words so far. If he doesn’t succeed at the team level, the scrutiny on him might increase, and Victor Wembanyama confident statement could backfire. But he’s media-savvy and aware of his image, so I wouldn’t surprised if he changes how he talks to reporters if needed.

Wilco: His tone and delivery are important, but there’s more to it. Wembanyama talks so eloquently about his responsibility to live up to his talent that it’s hard to criticize him. He’s not trying to convince everyone of his greatness; he’s talking about his goal to achieve it. Chest-thumping might always be off-putting to some, but it’s hard to criticize someone so serious about what he’s trying to achieve. Plus, LeBron James paved the way for this about 20 years ago with his “global icon” goal, which he fulfilled.

More from Pounding The Rock:

• Wemby named to FIBA’s Top 5 as well as the Rising Star
• Wembanyama’s Olympic struggles are crucial for his development
• A look back at Richard Jefferson’s time in San Antonio
• Wembanyama wins silver as USA defeats France
• Olympics Gold Medal Game Thread: USA vs France
• Olympic Basketball Watch Party at The Rock at La Cantera