Victor Wembanyama may only be 21, but he’s already making it clear: if you’re coming at him in the paint, you’d better come prepared. The San Antonio Spurs’ towering 7’3″ center recently opened up about what goes through his mind when opponents try to challenge him at the rim and let’s just say, he takes it personally.
In a new video posted by the NBA, Wemby didn’t sugarcoat his mindset: he wants to shut everyone down. “I see it as a battle,” he said. “If you’re trying to score on me, I’m going to make sure you regret it.” It’s that fire, mixed with his freakish length and timing, that makes him one of the most feared defenders in the league right now. And he’s just getting started.
Wemby explains why going at him in the paint is always a bad idea
After capturing the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year award, Wembanyama put up jaw-dropping numbers in his debut season: 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game over 45 appearances. Despite missing time due to a shoulder condition, he still led the league in blocks by a wide margin with 176 rejections. No one else even came close.
He also carved out a place in the history books with an absurd 34-game streak of recording at least one block and one made three-pointer, the longest such streak the NBA has ever seen. That blend of shot-blocking and floor spacing isn’t just rare, it’s unprecedented. Wembanyama is redefining what it means to be a big man in today’s NBA.
His numbers speak for themselves, but what stands out is his mindset. Wemby isn’t just relying on his height, he’s studying film, anticipating movements, and building a mental edge. That’s what separates a great athlete from a future legend. “Defense is about pride,” he said. “I want to be the reason people think twice before going inside.”
Now fully cleared after dealing with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, Wemby is expected to play the full upcoming season. And while fans are excited to see his offensive growth, it’s his commitment to locking things down on the other end that might just turn the Spurs into serious contenders sooner than people think.
Anyone trying to score on Wemby this season better bring more than just confidence. Because to him, every drive is a challenge, and every block is personal.
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