Victor Wembanyama has consistently performed at a level that puts his name among the best in the NBA. At 22 years of age, the San Antonio Spurs’ centerpiece has weaponized his 7-foot-4 frame and 8-foot wingspan to redefine modern basketball, becoming one of the most terrifying two-way forces in the league.
Charles Barkley Hopes for Victor Wembanyama’s Durability
Currently leading the league in average blocks (3.0) and ranking fifth in rebounds per game (11.1), Wembanyama has the Spurs firmly locked in the Western Conference playoff hunt with a 54-18 record. For NBA legend Charles Barkley, the Frenchman is not just a star but a potential heir to the league’s throne, provided his body endures the NBA’s rigorous 82-game regular season without injury.
Barkley appeared on the latest episode of “The Jim Rome Show” and discussed Wembanyama’s ascent to one of the league’s finest players. But for a human of that size to compete at the highest professional level, it comes with various injury scares.
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Reflecting on his 40 years in the NBA, Barkley highlighted Shaquille O’Neal as the only other “force of nature” to combine massive size with high-level durability, while other giants could not sustain it.
“I really think he’s got a chance [to be the face of the NBA], I just hope he can stay healthy,” Barkley said. “The most amazing thing that I’ve seen in my 40 years of NBA is Shaquille O’neal. ’Cause he was the biggest, the fastest, the most explosive jumping. For him to stay healthy for all those years, I thought that was probably the most incredible thing I have seen from a guy that big.”
Barkley emphasized that despite Wembanyama’s height, his athleticism sets him apart from other giants who often succumbed to lower-body injuries.
Though Wembanyama’s potential and brilliance are rare, they remain directly tied to his health. This season, he is averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks while shooting 50.6% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc.
The San Antonio Spurs’ resurgence has become one of the most compelling storylines of the 2025-26 season. They have not crossed the 50-win threshold in a single season since 2016-17, but this year they are already 54-18 with a .750 winning percentage.
“Victor Wembanyama seems like a great kid. I hope he’s able to stay healthy ‘cause it’d be great for the NBA…The Spurs have arguably been the best franchise….maybe ahead of the Warriors ‘cause they had a better run. We will love to see the Spurs come back and have a great situation. If he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for him and the Spurs,” Barkley stated regarding Wembanyama’s importance to the franchise.
Currently trailing the conference leaders and defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-15), the Spurs are returning to their former glory with Wembanyama as the catalyst of this turnaround.
