The Rookie of the Year award was introduced in the 1952-53 season in the NBA. The first player to receive the honor was an Ohio native, Don “Monk” Meineke. Since then, the ROTY award has become a testament to those standout rookies who have surpassed all expectations. Years went by and a young, generational talent, also from Ohio, entered the league with the hype and responsibilities that bypassed even what he had for himself. He was a ROTY. And now, this season, another young hooper, though this one is from France, has made waves with his arrival. Yes, Victor Wembanyama himself!

“Generational talent,” “Alien,” and “Extraterrestrial” are some words used to describe the 7’4 French phenom. Part of Pop’s squad, he just won the ROTY. And his season was nothing short of historical. So much so that sportswear brand, Fanatics decided to give him an even bigger and epic congratulatory surprise. All the previous ROTY receivers and some greats of the NBA had one reminder for him.

They were beyond happy for the 20-year-old, but his historic rookie season was “just the beginning” of a phenomenal career!

The youngster couldn’t hold back his tears by the end of it. This wasn’t just any surprise. Wemby was getting advice, recognition, and appreciation from the legends of the sport. They have been through it all, the good and the bad, and left behind a legacy that ensured they lived on long after they were gone.

Victor Wembanyama joins a hallowed group of NBA legends

The fanatic exhibit showed all the previous rookies of the year. But those who had a message for him included LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, David Robinson, Kevin Durant, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, and Shaquille O’Neal. We all know the kind of careers these greats have had and the few active players still have. James, particularly, went through what Wembanyama did. He is only too aware of the kind of pressure and strain it brings.

Although, we have yet to see the man of the hour (or year?) crack under pressure. Wemby has been as graceful on-court as he is off-court. And Popovich made it clear that this season was all about rebuilding, getting the team together, and creating a contending group to terrorize the league for years to come. After all, that’s what Pop’s Big 3 did for over a decade (2002-2016).

Without a doubt, Victor Wembanyama will continue to break and create records as the years go by. As the Spurs‘ season ended, his stat line read  21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, 1.8 3-pointers, and 1.2 steals per game with 71 games played overall. Wemby also received all 99 first-place votes. It was the first time since the Wolves’ KAT in 2016 that the media panel had a unanimous decision for the ROTY award. And mind you, Wemby just turned 20 in January! Let that thought settle in.

Clearly, Wembanyama has succeeded in getting the attention of everyone. And even better, the trust. Now, all he has to do is keep getting better than the previous year. Easier said than done, but if anyone’s up for a challenge, it is the ‘Extraterrestrial’.