Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Why Wemby is next up, if he isn’t already there. The NBA is going through a transitioning period as it has no clear face of the shield. LeBron James held that honor for most of his career and, despite his universal popularity, is too old to be the emblem. But worthy candidates have emerged. Nikola Jokić is the best player in the world, but he doesn’t dominate headlines with anything other than his play. He’s a generational figure, but much like Tim Duncan, basketball is his main focus, so there’s not enough exterior flair. Giannis Antetokounmpo, currently the leading vote-getter in All-Star voting, is good enough, but he told the Washington Post he doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA. He said, “I just want to hoop. If that makes me the face of the league, great. But that’s not my focus.” Luka Dončić is a V12 engine for his squad with the résumé to justify being the face of the NBA. He will be 26 on Feb. 28. It helps that he’s a showboat who puts up video game numbers, too. Yet, here’s why it will be Victor Wembanyama sooner rather than later. Even before he arrived, he was the most hyped prospect since LeBron James when he was in high school. Wemby’s hype exceeded the craze for Magic Johnson, whose recruiters kept calling and would not let him sleep at night because they wanted him to pick their university. And while Wemby didn’t do the Ed Sullivan Show at 16 like Lew Alcindor, but he was interviewed for Good Morning America in his favorite Paris cafe before draft night. He has lived up to everything so far. It’s difficult to take eyes off of him when he plays because, as a 7‘3” (allegedly) unicorn, he’ll do something every night that dazzles the public. Sometimes it’s when he dribbles up-court and pulls up for a deep trey like a guard. At other moments, it’s when he goes on a defensive binge with a handful of blocks. He can also make history on any given night. For example, Dec. 21 at Portland, becoming the sixth player all-time to register at least 30 points and 10 blocks. The only others who have done that are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. Don’t forget he was the third-most viewed player in the NBA in his rookie year, and his dunk against the Celtics was the second-most viewed play with 247 million hits. Spurs league pass viewership in France rose 177 percent in 2023-24. And recently, he was a figure in the NBA’s most-watched Christmas Day games in five years. When ESPN’s Tim Bontemps asked him about being the next face of the league, he said, “Of course. And it’s something I’ve been working on for years because being labeled as one of the faces of the league is not primarily basketball, but also your image in front of everyone.” Wembanyama, being charming and classy, has endeared himself to many fans outside of San Antonio. Playing chess with strangers in Washington Square Park in New York, helping the Redick children restart their memorabilia collection after their home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, and giving his gear to young fans after games proves the mega star he is off the court. And being an avid reader makes him an extra cool role model for kids. Wembanyama is rapidly surpassing the league’s elite players in impact. He is currently a viable candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award and a distant fourth for the Most Valuable Player crown at age 21. He is a prolific shot blocker and three-level scoring threat with sick handles and passing skills. At some point, he could average a triple-double, and who knows how crazy his stat line can get with the blocks? Keep in mind, he is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 24 points, 10 rebounds and three 3-point makes per game. Before Wembanyama can ascend further, he must dominate the playoffs. If the Spurs break through this season, and he goes on a tear like 1986 Hakeem Olajuwon, it would be enough to anoint him. To be clear, that doesn’t mean he needs to power the Spurs on a finals run, but if the defense is praying he misses when triple-covered, he’ll be on that level. Wembanyama is far from his peak, but he doesn’t need to be there for it to be his league. Former defensive master Joakim Noah recently weighed in, saying, “Give him two or three years. This guy is going to be running the league.”