Draymond Green recently declared that rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama is already a top-20 player in the NBA. The Warriors star didn't receive any pushback, because where's the argument?
Wembanyama continues to do "first-time-ever" things routinely to the surprise of no one. On Sunday, during the Spurs' 133-126 loss to the Sixers, the 7-footer had 33 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and seven blocks. In the process, he became the first player in NBA history to register at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five threes and five blocks in a game.
Wemby put together a HISTORIC stat line in a tough double overtime loss to the Sixers
— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2024
33 PTS
18 REB
5 3PM
6 AST
7 BLK
Victor Wembanyama is the ONLY PLAYER in NBA history to record 30+ PTS, 15+ REB, 5+ AST, 5+ 3PT, and 5+ BLK in a game pic.twitter.com/d49Ng7m1QV
Sunday's game marked the eighth instance of Wemby putting up a first-time-ever stat line this season and the fourth time he had at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game, the third most by a rookie since blocks were recorded in 1973.
WE HAVE A WEMBYGAMI
— Extra Muse (@extra_muse) April 8, 2024
8th Wembygami of the year. pic.twitter.com/qnWcbTxZ1y
Some of Wembanyama's feats this season include him becoming the youngest player to register a 20-20 game (on Dec. 8), the first teenager to register 20-plus points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game (Dec. 28), youngest to tally a 5×5 state line (on Feb. 23), and most recently, the first rookie with a 40-20 game since Shaquille O'Neal in 1993 (March 29).
One could argue that Wemby's first-time-ever stats are due to his benefitting from the three-point shot. After all, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn't shoot threes while they were putting up monster stat lines. But that's what makes Wembanyama the personification of the hybrid big man. He's what you'd get if Dikembe Mutombo had Kevin Durant's jump shot.
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