Magic Johnson recently had the opportunity to meet Victor Wembanyama, and the Hall of Famer believes the projected top pick has the opportunity to transform the franchise that drafts him this year.
Johnson was among the legends in attendance last month at the contest between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in Paris, France. Wembanyama, who is playing in Paris with Metropolitans 92, also had the chance to take in the game on an off day.
During an interview with Bryan Kalbrosky of For the Win, Johnson recalled meeting Wembanyama and explained why the 19-year-old has the opportunity to be special in the NBA.
I don’t know if we’ve seen a big man who can do the things that he can. Normally, you have one or the other. Either your post-game is good or your outside jump shot is good. We’ve never seen a guy who can do both and can handle the basket and can also handle the basketball. He can block shots.
He can affect the game in so many different ways and whoever gets him: This guy is going to change his franchise forever. The hype is real. He will probably make an impact like LeBron did when he first came into the league. This young man is special. I can tell how great he was when I met his parents in France. Now I see why he is such a special young man on the court and off. His parents are very involved. They’re good people. His mom played basketball. He’s a league changer and a franchise changer.
Wembanyama has dazzled at every level to this point and was named an All-Star this season after averaging 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.2 assists. He helped France claim a berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup back in November.
The phenom stands at 7 feet, 5 inches in shoes, which is one inch taller than his team lists him. He boasts an 8-foot wingspan and is quickly emerging as a unique prospect in NBA history given his skills and size.
I had the chance to meet and talk to the best player in the world and this year’s number one pick in the NBA draft Victor Wembanyama! pic.twitter.com/2KT4NCFVrE
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 20, 2023
The arrival of Wembanyama has created quite a battle to draft him. As the league embarks on the final quarter of the season, there are four teams vying to claim one of the three worst records and a 14% chance of landing the top pick: Houston, San Antonio, Detroit and Charlotte.
Wembanyama has long been projected to have the tools needed to develop into a superstar. He…
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