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Victor Wembanyama earns comparison to Curry, James, and Jordan from two-time MVP

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 5:30 PM ET

Victor Wembanyama is expected to be the face of the NBA for the next decade or more, and Giannis Antetokounmpo recently compared him to Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.

For the past 15 years or more, the NBA has successfully built on the backs of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant as the faces of the league. As their careers reach the end, the Association is scrambling to find a new “face” to build around.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and Jayson Tatum are all fine candidates, but Victor Wembanyama, already marketed as “The Alien,” is the most obvious choice.

In fact, NBA superstars are seemingly ready to concede the “face of the league” title to Wembanyama, and he was recently compared to three all-time greats.

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Wemby could be the next Curry, James, or Jordan

Victor Wembanyama does not play like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, or Stephen Curry. However, he has already successfully melded three of their most impressive traits.

In terms of talent at such a young age, Wembanyama is in a league of his own, much like James was. He was the first rookie to ever make an All-Defensive Team, and entered the league with “Chosen One” expectations, much like James.

He boasts Jordan’s unique marketability. His Airness boasted the “Air Jordan” and “Like Mike” ad campaigns, and made billions for Nike and Gatorade. Wembanyama is already signed to deals with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Barcode.

On the court, his impact is like Curry’s: no one has ever seen a player like him before. Before Curry, no one shot the ball like that, and no one has ever seen a seven-footer move like Wemby.

In terms of impact on the league, even the best current players think that Wembanyama is in a class of his own.

“You gotta go with Wemby, Steph, LeBron, MJ,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo on a live stream. “Those are great investments.”

While Edwards, SGA, Doncic, and Tatum are all undoubtedly elite players, high-level slashers, point guards, and wings have come and gone. The “face of the league” should be a player who can’t be compared to anyone else.

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Victor Wembanyama is only getting started

While Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the world, he only has two NBA seasons under his belt and is only 21 years old. On top of that, he missed the final 30 games last season with a blood clot issue.

He already dominates, and he has a long way to go.

“I think he’s gonna be one of the best players in the league in the next couple of years,” Antetokounmpo predicted. “I think he will have a very great career moving forward.”

With the exception of Curry, all of the previously mentioned stars were household names before they were even 25 years old in NBA circles. For the most part, true superstars have to peak early and maintain their excellence.

Wembanyama is already the best defender in the entire NBA and has worked to expand his offensive game. With an All-Star point guard in De’Aaron Fox next to him and a full season ahead, he is expected to take the next step and enter truly elite territory before he turns 22.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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