Former All-Star Warns Spurs To Take Care Of Victor Wembanyama

Ralph Sampson knows all too well the dangers that come with being a towering phenom in the NBA. The Hall of Famer, who once stood as one of the league’s most unique 7-footers in the 1980s, saw his career cut short by injuries that robbed him of the chance to dominate for longer. Now, as he looks at San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, Sampson is sending a clear warning: protect him at all costs.

Speaking during the 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, Sampson praised Wembanyama’s talent but urged the Spurs to be cautious. 

"The game has evolved. Wemby’s going to be good. They need to slow him down a little bit because his body is not ready for 82. You understand that. He got a great attitude in a great position. But I could dribble and shoot. I wish I could shoot more threes. I shot 100 threes in my career; they might shoot 200 threes in two games.”

And the advice is timely. In his second NBA season, Wembanyama played just 46 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Yet in that span, his numbers were staggering: 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game. 

He was a lock for Defensive Player of the Year and was firmly in the conversation for both the All-Star Game and the All-NBA teams. By his third year, Wembanyama has already established himself as arguably the league’s best defender and a top-10 player overall. That kind of trajectory places him in the rarefied air of LeBron James and Michael Jordan, who were also considered elite within their first three seasons.

The Spurs, however, cannot afford to burn Wembanyama out. They don’t just need two or three seasons of dominance; they need a decade-plus of sustained brilliance if they want to build a dynasty around him. 

With a young and talented core, featuring De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, the Spurs are positioned to compete deep into the future. But all of it hinges on Wembanyama staying healthy.

Sampson knows what happens when a team doesn’t protect its big man. His own career serves as a cautionary tale, as do the stories of players like Yao Ming, whose dominance was cut short by repeated foot injuries. 

The Spurs have a chance to usher in another era of dominance, similar to what Tim Duncan gave them. Wembanyama has the potential to not just carry the franchise but to redefine the game itself. But for that to happen, the organization must heed Sampson’s warning. Victor Wembanyama is already proving he’s special. Now it’s up to San Antonio to ensure his brilliance lasts long enough to turn potential into legacy.