The Wemby Era has arrived - The Rider Newspaper

It’s here. He has arrived. And it won’t be long before it is his league.

Victor Wembanyama, the all-star big man who the San Antonio Spurs have selected at No. 1 overall in 2022, made an emphatic mark to open the 2025 season for his squad.

On a night that was hyped up to mark the NBA Debut of this year’s No. 1 overall pick in Cooper Flagg, Wemby stole the show with a 40-point, 15-rebound and 3-block night on 30 minutes, leading the Spurs to a 125-92 road blowout over the Dallas Mavericks.

It was highlight after highlight, as Wemby was making 6-foot-10-inch center Anthony Davis look like a shorter guard, as if to give the 13-year vet a “welcome-to-the-NBA” moment. He was having his way and making his own path against that Mavs defense.

And it wasn’t like it was all Wemby last night either. Devin Vassell and 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle looked incredible, and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper scored 15 off the bench.

Wemby’s offseason was certainly a journey, from living with Shaolin monks in China to training alongside Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon (not to mention having Tim Duncan and Coach Pop on speed dial). And we are certainly seeing the results of that.

A 7-foot-3-inch freak of nature, who quickly established himself as the league’s best defender, who moves in a way that someone his size never should, with a guard’s handles who can drain 3’s from the logo, got so much better.

His post presence was noticeably stronger than last year. Wemby got stronger, bullying defenders out of the way all night. Not to mention, he has added the Dream shake to his bag.

There are simply no more words to describe Victor Wembanyama that have not already been said in NBA circles. With a strong San Antonio team at the helm, he is poised to make an impact and shoot for a title.

We, as a collective of basketball fans, insiders and media alike, need to recognize one thing and one thing only: It’s Wembanyama time now. He is gunning for GOAT status against the likes of LeBron and Jordan.

All I can say is to buy the Wemby GOAT stock now because it will not be long before he enters that conversation.