Well, it's safe to say that Victor Wembanyama is the real deal.
This week, the French prospect traveled to the United States with Metropolitans 92 to play a couple of games against Scoot Henderson and the G League Ignite. He wasn't able to come away with the win in the first matchup between the likely top two picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, but he exploded for 37 points and five blocks while knocking down seven 3-pointers.
If you were wondering, no, we've never seen someone put up those numbers on an NBA court.
It was hard to believe that Wembanyama could top that performance, and yet he followed it up by leading his team to victory in the second meeting with 36 points, 11 rebounds and four more blocks.
Wembanyama's play had everyone buzzing, including two of the best to ever do it in LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. There's a reason for that: Wembanyama is unlike anything we've ever seen before, a 7-footer who will follow up sending your shot into the 10th row with a deep 3-pointer someone his size has no business taking.
There are many highlights that illustrate the Wembanyama experience, but these are the most absurd ones from this week's exhibition games. And trust me, there were plenty to choose from.
MORE: Wembanyama vs. Scoot giving off 1979 Bird vs. Magic vibes
Ranking Victor Wembanyama's most absurd highlights vs. G League Ignite
5. You can't teach size
Yes, Wembanyama is probably going to have to put on some muscle to be able to battle with the top centers in the NBA — he's listed between 210 and 230 pounds depending on where you look — but his size, shooting touch, footwork and body control is going to make him a tough cover in the post.
I mean, there isn't much anyone can do to stop him from shooting a step back jumper.
4. Reaching the summit
Nothing is out of Wembanyama's reach on either end of the court.
Showtime Wemby!
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2022
The block and the 💥 pic.twitter.com/7WaGbUIYuq
The block and dunk is one thing, but notice how effortlessly Wembanyama gets up and down the court. He's a real threat in transition.
3. Jump at your own risk
Good luck to anyone who thinks they can block someone who is 7-4 with an 8-foot wingspan.
Leonard Miller isn't small, either. Wembanyama makes someone who is listed at 6-10 with a 7-2 wingspan look kind of normal.
📸 POSTER TIME
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2022
Victor Wembanyama ripping it down! pic.twitter.com/4gmNTQbxN6
The photo puts into perspective how long Wembanyama is. This kid's head is at the edge of the backboard!
📸 VICTOR. WEMBANYAMA. https://t.co/3JwfVrtAbi pic.twitter.com/iXcRvZBcbL
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2022
2. From the parking lot
According to ESPN, this is a 29-footer from Wembanyama:
Wemby from BEYOND
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2022
Watch Wemby Live Now on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/WIy2EVo02V pic.twitter.com/uohjmmcMcd
Want to guess how many 7-footers made a shot from that distance in the NBA last season? Not a single one.
The fact that Wembanyama did it off the dribble makes it more absurd.
1. Oh, he can shoot shoot
Just when you think you've seen it all, Wembanyama does this:
This shot is incredible! He's 7 foot +
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2022
Wemby is up to 19 PTS on ESPN 2 and the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/WIy2EVo02V pic.twitter.com/a6spmHsj8L
Stop it. Just stop it.