NBA draft prospect Victor Wembanyama’s stock is taking a hit after getting dunked on during a France vs. Czech Republic game at the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
While he looked great offensively, he struggled on the defensive end against the Czech center, revealing his current physique is too small for the build of big centers in the league. This game is the first time Wembanyama has been “exposed.”
Despite this lowlight in his performance, teams are still interested in drafting him. However, it’s evident that Wembanyama needs to add significant muscle to be able to handle NBA centers such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid.
In the game against the Czech Republic, he was bullied in the low block and then posterized.
Just Imagine what Giannis and Embiid going to do to him!!! God Bless America https://t.co/bciPefy1Jz
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 24, 2023
Wembanyama finished the game with impressive stats, scoring 22 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, blocking 6 shots, and stealing the ball 4 times. This performance showcased his immense talent, but his shortcomings on defense cannot be ignored.
One option for Wembanyama is to follow the path of Kevin Durant, who stays lean and relies on his shooting. However, Durant doesn’t have to guard big men, so Wembanyama would still need to improve his defense.
Another option for him is to put on a ton of muscle like Antetokounmpo did, which would allow him to hold his own against other big men in the league.
Related: “Wtf???” French basketball star Victor Wembanyama slams FIBA over “fake interview”
Many are comparing Wembanyama to the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James in terms of potential. While getting posterized may have humanized him a bit, the mounting pressure to excel is still present.
Despite this setback, it’s clear that Wembanyama has a bright future ahead of him, and it will be interesting to see how he develops in the coming years.
