Coming in as the most hyped prospect since maybe LeBron James in 2003, Victor Wembanyama brought extremely high expectations along with him. However, so far, in just three years, he has lived up to that billing nearly flawlessly.
A dominant defensive force unlike the league has ever seen, Wembanyama also boasts an offensive game bursting with potential. As a result, many people have started seeing him as the next player who can carry the mantle of the league’s face. But some folks remain skeptical because of his French origin.
Why Victor Wembanyama Fits the Profile to Be the Face of the NBA
The first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he was immediately as good as advertised. He won Rookie of the Year and led the league in blocks, something he has done every season of his career.
At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama surprised everyone with the depth of his offensive game, showcasing legitimate talent as a three-level scorer by averaging over 20 points per game in his first year. Since then, he has increased those averages to hover around 24 points per game.
But the numbers haven’t come in the form of empty stats on a bad team. The San Antonio Spurs have been hard at work to surround him with the right pieces, and the results have been immediate once again.
This season, they are the No. 2 seed in a loaded Western Conference, just inches behind the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. With San Antonio already seen as a top-tier contender, Wembanyama appears to be on a historic pace as an MVP candidate.
MORE: Spurs Star Victor Wembanyama Debunks Viral Claim That ‘Nobody Plays Defense’ In the NBA
But the face of the league moniker has been about more than just production. Players like James and Stephen Curry, who held the title for the last decade-plus, made a name for themselves beyond the court.
Their preparation, charisma, style of play, interviews, and competitive drive all factored into their status near the top of the NBA pyramid. Wemby, through three seasons where he’s earned two All-Star selections, is following in those footsteps nicely.
But two-time Super Bowl champion and Philadelphia Eagles legend LeSean McCoy isn’t fully sold yet. Speaking on the “Speakeasy” show, he explained his one major drawback: “The face has to be a great player and somebody everyone can relate to, and they gotta have that certain thing about them.”
“To be the face of the NBA, you have to be American”
– @CutonDime25 makes a STRONG declaration in response to chants of Wemby being the new face of the NBA
WE ARE LIVE RIGHT NOW ➡️ https://t.co/f4H3dQB55c pic.twitter.com/K9j3yBICIS
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) March 30, 2026
McCoy used Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić as examples to show that great play alone did not warrant the face of the NBA conversation. Then, he made his main point: “To be the face of the league, you gotta be an American, bro.”
Even as other American stars, like Anthony Edwards, have outright shied away from the mantle, Wembanyama has embraced the role wholeheartedly. While some of his arrogance seems unearned at this point, the French superstar isn’t lacking in confidence.
If he can walk the walk, then all of the Spurs’ bravado will be justified. And at that point, the face of the NBA talk might become undeniable.
