No need to wait for LeBron James to retire, the next ‘great’ is here and his name is Wemby.
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, offseason speculation is already ramping up about whether Lakers star LeBron James has played in his final NBA game.
And, with that talk, the question will inevitably arise about who is “next”.
When Michael Jordan retired, he left that crown to Kobe Bryant, who was also claimed by LeBron, where it sat comfortably on his head for the better part of two decades.
It’s the kind of classic “circle of life” thing that happens in the NBA whenever the current “Goat” hangs up his sneakers, but, like the transfer of power from Kobe to LeBron, we don’t have to wait for The King to officially end it.
LEBRON JAMES ADMITS FUTURE IN NBA UNCLEAR AFTER LAKERS EXIT
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers lays down Oklahoma City Thunder wing Lu Dort during Game 3 of their second-round series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Photos by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
“The next one” has arrived, and his name is Victor Wembanyama.
You can accuse me of calling my shot early, but I believe the next contender to enter the “greatest of all time” conversation is currently playing basketball in San Antonio, Texas.
I’ve talked about Wemby at length many times since joining OutKick, and for good reason.
BLACK SPURS’ VICTOR STYMIY NETS IN AMAZING SEQUENCE DURING VICTORY
The 7-foot-4 Frenchman has a rare combination of talent and physical gifts that were unheard of before he arrived on the scene.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Similar to LeBron, Wemby has had crazy hype surrounding him since he was very young.
I remember hearing about this 7-foot-17 17-year-old who could shoot like Dirk and catch guards, and even then, people were anointing him the next goat.
VICTOR BLACK SETS NBA POSTSEASON BLOCK RECORD IN SPURS’ LOSS AT TIMBERWOLVES
I thought it was too early at the time, but they were on to something.
Fast forward to 2026, and Wemby is already a two-time NBA All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and has led the league in blocks for three consecutive seasons.
He’s also one win away from the San Antonio Spurs returning to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nearly a decade, thanks to a 27-17-5-3 performance in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
You can just take my word for it, too.
A number of Basketball Hall of Famers believe that Wemby is already on his way to being the GOAT at just 22 years old.
According to Larry Brown Sports, NBA champion and Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce called Wemby “[the] the most complete player in the history of the game,” on his podcast “No Fouls Given.”
VICTOR WEMBYAMA AVOIDS AN ELBOW FROM NAZ REID, WILL PLAY IN MATCH 5.
Shaquille O’Neal, one of the centers, if not the greatest in the history of the NBA, called Wemby “the first perfect man.”
If you’re old enough to remember how dominant Shaq was in his prime, those words carry a lot of weight.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DOD NOT @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
My point is this: Don’t wait to jump on the Wemby train, because that bad boy has already left the station.
If he can guide the Spurs past the Wolves and somehow take down the 64-win Thunder to reach the NBA Finals, San Antonio will surely be the favorite to take down the Eastern Conference representative and lift the Larry O’Brien trophy.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
San Antonio Spurs big Victor Wembanyama drives against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at the Frost Bank Center in Texas. (Photos by Scott Wachter-Imagn)
If that happens, Wemby will be just 22 years old with a ring, DPoY and the entire league in the palm of his hand.
If you’re looking to buy Wemby stock, it’s already too late. The next “goat” has already arrived.
