Victor Wembanyama Is Not “Out of This World” — Yet

Victor Wembanyama, the young French superstar for the San Antonio Spurs, has already earned the nickname “The Alien” because of his unbelievable combination of size, athleticism, and guard-like skills. At 7-foot-4, players with his skill set simply do not come around often. However, despite all the hype surrounding him, I still think it is far too early to call him “out of this world” or already crown him the future face of the NBA.

To be fair, what Wembanyama has accomplished in just three NBA seasons has been impressive. He has averaged 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game while leading the league in blocks in all three seasons. He is already a two-time All-Star, won Rookie of the Year in his first season, captured Defensive Player of the Year honors this year, and helped lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals at just 22 years old. The Spurs ended up losing to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals in five games.

That is an incredible start to a career, but the key phrase here is “start to a career.”

The biggest concern with Wembanyama has always been his frame. At 7-foot-4 and around 235 pounds, he fits the mold of many tall, lanky big men who have struggled with injuries throughout NBA history. We have seen time and time again how difficult it can be for players of that size to stay healthy over the course of a long career.

Last season already raised some concerns after Wembanyama dealt with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, causing him to miss nearly half the season. While the issue was handled and not considered career-threatening, it still serves as a reminder that players with unique body types often face unique medical challenges.

Even before he entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, I had concerns about whether his body would hold up long-term. There are several examples of players with similar builds who dealt with constant injuries. Kristaps Porziņģis, who stands at 7-foot-2 and around 240 pounds, has battled injuries throughout his career. Yao Ming, despite being one of the most dominant centers of his era, saw his career cut short because of recurring foot and leg injuries.

Another comparison that cannot be ignored is Chris Bosh. Bosh’s career unfortunately ended early due to recurring blood clot issues in his lungs and legs. Wembanyama’s shoulder clot was not nearly as severe, but if similar medical issues continue to appear, it could become a much more serious concern down the line.

At the same time, I also think people overlook how much help Wembanyama already has around him in San Antonio. The Spurs are loaded with young talent. Guards like Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Dylan Harper are all capable scorers putting up double-digit numbers while still being 25 years old or younger. On top of that, veteran point guard De'Aaron Fox has brought leadership, experience, and stability to the roster while helping mentor the younger players. Even as a veteran, Fox is still only 28 years old, meaning San Antonio’s core could remain competitive for a long time.

I am not saying Wembanyama does not have superstar potential because he absolutely does. What I am saying is to not put all your eggs in one basket, and that people should slow down before already declaring him the face of this generation or calling him a once-in-human-history type player after only three seasons.

His talent is undeniable, but longevity matters just as much as talent in the NBA. Only time will tell whether Wembanyama can avoid the injury issues that have affected so many towering, big men before him or if he will ultimately prove every doubter wrong and truly live up to the nickname, “The Alien.”