The consensus No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, had drawn comparisons to LeBron James even before his debut. The 7’4″ Frenchman was touted as the most promising prospect entering the league since King James graced the league in 2003. Like the Akron Hammer, who was dubbed “The Chosen One” straight out of high school, Wembanyama faced immense expectations from the start. While emulating James’ trajectory in the league might seem daunting, the rookie unicorn has impressively lived up to those lofty standards.

Although the San Antonio Spurs sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with an abysmal 3-16 record, Wemby’s performance through the first 19 games has put him at the forefront of winning the ROTY title. However, let’s see how the French phenom has fared in comparison to James in the first 19 games of their rookie season.

LeBron James vs. Victor Wembanyama

In his first 19 games as a rookie, Bron posted an average of 16.9 points on 40.1% shooting, including 32.7% from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama has mustered up 19.3 points per game in 18 of the first 19 games of his career. That too, on an impressive 43.7% from the field and 27.1% from beyond the arc. His height gives him an advantage over James since he can get to his spots and make jumpers easily. While Victor’s offensive ability cannot be questioned, it’s his defensive potential that captivates the fans more. He has averaged 9.7 rebounds as compared to LeBron’s 6.9 rebounds. Wemby has also amassed more points than rookie James, gathering 347 points through 18 games. Meanwhile, James managed 321 points across 19 games.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers guard, widely known as one of the best playmakers in the league, averaged an impressive 6.4 assists through his first 19 matchups. Wemby, on the other hand, took a step back with only 2.6 assists per game. Looking at the stats, it is needless to say Wemby’s performance stacks up pretty well when compared to 19-year-old LeBron James’. However, this is just the beginning of the road for the Spurs center. It remains to be seen whether he can forge a reputation similar to LeBron’s.

When will Wembanyama return?

When the Spurs won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, it felt like they were poised for a long-awaited resurgence. However, the anticipated revitalization has yet to materialize. While Wemby has been putting up consistent performances, the Spurs have yet to build a talented supporting cast around their rising superstar.

Read More: “Don’t Really Pay Attention to That”: 6’6 Rookie Ditches Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren Comparisons for 2023 NBA ROTY Crown

To add insult to injury, the Spurs were dealt heartbreaking news amid a 13-game losing skid. After previously being listed as questionable in the game versus the Atlanta Hawks, the Spurs center was sidelined in the recent loss to the Pelicans. Although he practiced on Sunday, it remains to be seen whether he will suit up for the Spurs’ next game against the Timberwolves on December 6.

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