SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is taking the NBA by storm.
His size, scoring ability, defense, height, and more all but stamp how much of an "alien" he is on the court with his out-of-this-world play.
And for as much as Wemby is an "alien" on the floor, there is a "mutant" that has impressed him with his extraordinary play: Wilt Chamberlain.
"To me he's kind of like a mutant. He was ahead of his time and just so different from -- he made the game so different from what it was," Wembanyama said during the All-Star break.
Said Wembanyama: "This is someone I would like to look like him sometimes because he was so special."
There are similarities between the pair of NBA giants.
Both tower above the competition, billed as unstoppable players on both ends of the floor and shattered NBA records.
Wemby is seen as what NBA players are morphing into: 7-foot players who can shoot, handle the ball, dominate in the paint, and run the fastbreak.
Chamberlain was unstoppable (albeit in an era not as athletic as it is now) and would thrive in today's modern NBA era.
Chamberlain was known for his scoring prowess, rebounding ability, shot-blocking skills, and passing acumen. He was a versatile player who could impact the game in multiple ways.
Even former NBA players believe Wemby will be the next to do what Chamberlain did: Score 100 points in a game and break it.
"I do believe he will score 100 points at some point in his career," Peace said. "I think he will be the first one. Maybe 101 (points). I think he will get there maybe in about his eighth season."
"He'll play against one of these old-school Clippers-type teams. Not the 2024 Clippers but you know the 1999 Clippers-type teams. Maybe there's a team down there and he just goes in the red. 101 points."
Considering the NBA's free-flowing offensive style, Wembanyama's offensive skillset coupled with his wingspan, his height (7-4), and his potential to add muscle to his frame to be a bully inside the paint, it would not be out of this world to witness basketball history.
One thing the pair of NBA players have in common is that both have revolutionized the big man position in their eras, and Wemby will leave an impact on the basketball game just as Chamberlain did.