Victor Wembanyama's confidence is as towering as his frame. During a recent appearance on comedian Kevin Hart's YouTube series “Cold as Balls,” the San Antonio Spurs star shared his belief that he can one day become the face of the NBA.
"Of course," Wembanyama said when asked by Hart if he saw himself in that role. "I think [there can] be only one face of the NBA, and it's definitely there."
For the Spurs, that level of ambition is hardly surprising. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 French phenom who transformed San Antonio's future after being drafted first overall in 2023, is already redefining what a modern big man can be.
After a rookie campaign that earned him unanimous Rookie of the Year honors and positioned him as one of the league's elite defenders, his sophomore season was cut short by a shoulder blood clot. However, for Wembanyama and the Spurs, the setback only set the stage for a highly anticipated comeback.
Wembanyama’s return to the court this preseason showcases a broader offensive repertoire and a refined mindset. In his first game action since February, Wembanyama recorded nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in just 16 minutes against Guangzhou of the Chinese Basketball Association. His focus was less on scoring and more on orchestrating plays, acting as the primary initiator of the Spurs' offense.
"There is a creativity and level of potential for him to do anything," Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said postgame. "With that being said, we still want him to have an identity of how he wants to play. Because when you play (with) four other teammates, there still has to be a level of connectivity, too."
The Spurs are building around Wembanyama's versatility with a mix of young talent. Rookie guard Dylan Harper, the second overall pick, and 2024 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle form a promising core that has San Antonio's rebuild ahead of schedule. Harper has already shown chemistry with Wembanyama, and the addition of veteran center Luke Kornet has given the Spurs more flexibility in how they deploy their franchise cornerstone.
Wembanyama's evolution extends beyond his playmaking. His summer training focused on using his gravity to create open shots for teammates rather than relying on isolation scoring. That newfound patience is part of his broader goal to become a more complete player capable of leading the Spurs back to playoff contention.
Wembanyama's evolution extends beyond his playmaking. His summer training focused on using his gravity to create open shots for teammates rather than relying on isolation scoring. That newfound patience is part of his broader goal to become a more complete player capable of leading the Spurs back to playoff contention.
"I probably turned down a shot I could make with my eyes closed," Wembanyama said. "But that was to get one of my teammates a shot he could make in his sleep. … We have three, four seconds to find the best solution offensively, and this is what we're trying to do because this is what great teams do.'
While the Spurs remain a developing team in the loaded Western Conference, expectations are mounting. Two general managers in the NBA's annual preseason survey predicted Wembanyama could be this season's Most Valuable Player, and 83 percent said they would build their franchise around him if given the choice.
If those predictions come true, it would mark a historic shift. No international player has ever been universally recognized as the face of the NBA, and no true big man has held that unofficial title since the days of Shaquille O'Neal.
Wembanyama understands that such a status must be earned through sustained excellence. But between his transcendent skill set, maturity beyond his years, and global appeal, the 21-year-old is already positioning himself as the league's next great ambassador and possibly the face of the NBA.
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