Former DPOTY claims he has already seen why Victor Wembanyama will be ‘running the league’ in two or three years

Victor Wembanyama has been commended for poise, intelligence

Wembanyama’s potential, as a 7-foot-4 ball handler, shooter, and defender, is unmatched. He has been touted as a generational player with true GOAT potential, although his ability to stay grounded is impossible to ignore.

“He’s definitely the next face of the league,” predicted Joakim Noah. “I think the world can see that. Somebody who’s high IQ, really smart.”

Wembanyama has spent the summer honing his skills with monks and Kevin Garnett, seemingly in an effort to tap into both the mental and physical sides of his game.

While his frame and athletic ability alone should be enough for him to take over as the “league’s face,” Noah offered two other reasons why he will find success.

Joakim Noah names two overlooked factors

Since being drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, Wembanyama is yet to play meaningful basketball in the NBA. The Spurs, simply, have not been competitive yet, and the playoffs have remained distant.

However, Wembanyama is no stranger to important games with a massive audience, as evidenced by his silver medal run at the 2024 Olympics.

“That France and USA game, you’re playing in France in front of your people, in front of your family, your friends, and just to have played that game, France and USA, on the national stage, I think that’s gonna be a big part of his DNA,” Noah said.

On top of that, Wembanyama has surrounded himself with elite mentors. Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, as well as Spurs legends Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and David Robinson, are all eager to show him the ropes, and the Spurs rostered Chris Paul last season to provide some on-court guidance.

“Having CP with him this year, you could just tell that you see the progress,” Noah added. “He’s so young, give him two or three years. This guy’s gonna be running the league.”

At only 21 years old, Wembanyama is already a two-time block leader, and even with a shortened season last year, he has already started to expand his offensive game. By 2027 or 2028, he could very easily be the best player the league has ever seen.