Victor Wembanyama, the coveted first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, entered the league amid a tidal wave of hype and expectations, drawing comparisons to none other than LeBron James himself.
LeBron James, a basketball phenomenon who has arguably claimed the title of the greatest player in the history of the sport, managed to exceed the lofty expectations set for him. Now, as the San Antonio Spurs welcome their rookie sensation into the NBA fold, the basketball world eagerly awaits to see what kind of legacy Victor Wembanyama will craft during his career.
Recently, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, a towering figure both literally and figuratively in the world of basketball, shared an intriguing perspective. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the four-time NBA champion reaffirmed his earlier stance on the matter.
When questioned if he was prepared to retract his previous comments, O’Neal responded with a resolute, “No, I’m not.” He stood firm in his assessment, emphasizing, “Because if you listen to what I said, I said you guys are acting like Wemby is the first 7-foot-5 player that can dribble coast to coast, put it between his legs, and shoot a three.”
O’Neal then made it clear that his intention was never to draw a direct comparison between Victor Wembanyama and another towering talent, Bol Bol, stating, “He is not. Bol Bol is the first. I never compared the two. I just said you guys act like you’ve never seen it before.”
Shaq doubled down on his Wemby and Bol Bol take pic.twitter.com/VTRD18GKcd
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) November 22, 2023
In his distinctive style, O’Neal brings forth an intriguing perspective that adds another layer to the ongoing discourse about Victor Wembanyama’s arrival in the NBA.