"Generational Prospect" Victor Wembanyama Declares for NBA Draft

The NBA's next superstar is ready to fulfill his destiny. Speaking with Malika Andrews on ESPN's NBA Today, French phenom Victork Wembanyama officially declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

Victor Wembanyama officially declares for the 2023 NBA draft with @malika_andrews 👀

(via NBA Today) pic.twitter.com/OMgOJket4t
— ESPN (@espn) April 21, 2023

Listed at 7'3" (with some reporting he's closer to 7'5"), Wembanyama dominated France's LNB Pro A, the nation's top professional league, logging 21.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and an eye-popping 3.1 blocks per game for the Metropolitans 92 over the 2022-23 season. He led the league in all three categories.

Wembanyama has already demonstrated his tantalizing abilities can translate to American basketball. In an exhibition series against the G-League Ignite this past October, the 19-year-old overwhelmed the competition:

Victor Wembanyama was unreal today..

37 PTS
4 REB
5 BLK
11/20 FG
7/11 3PT
8/12 FT

The best prospect we’ve seen since LeBron. pic.twitter.com/yZ7f15efhu
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 5, 2022

Wembanyama followed up his sensational United States debut with a similarly dominant Game 2, piling up 36 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. His play earned high praise from LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

Who is the true prize of the 2023 NBA Draft? Victor Wembanyama. We often overuse the term "generational prospect." This is not one of those times. https://t.co/Cf5xYRYecK pic.twitter.com/Dh7YuA6aZp
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 7, 2022

Wembanyama offers unreal fluidity for his size and is frequently pegged as the greatest prospect since LeBron James. Though the otherworldliness of his body has drawn some skepticism about his ability to stay healthy in the NBA, his frame and skillset recall Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the six-time MVP who won six titles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers over a spectacular 20-year career.

Wembanyama's entry into the draft will make the upcoming Draft Lottery one of the tensest in NBA history. The Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets all share equal odds at the top pick at 14% each. The ping pong balls drop on May 16th.