Victor Wembanyama’s rise has put Ralph Sampson back in the conversation, and Sampson sounds comfortable with the comparison. The Hall of Fame big man, long linked to the Spurs’ young star, has watched Wembanyama become the kind of player people reach for old references to describe.
Sampson’s own résumé still carries real weight in that discussion. He won Rookie of the Year in 1984 and made four All-Star teams, then added All-Star MVP honors in 1985. He said that recognition came from effort, not accident.
“I did my best; I played hard and got MVP of that game, and now I’m a Hall of Famer,” Sampson shared with Scoop B.com.
He also framed what he’s built as something bigger than basketball.
“Whatever I’ve accomplished is there as a legacy for my family, my kids, and my grandkids. I appreciated the game, I respect the game, and I love the game-that’s all I can do.”
The comparison has been floating around for a while. Last year, Dominique Wilkins put it plainly while talking about Wembanyama’s unique skill set.
“To be 7-foot-3 and to handle the basketball, shoot the 3 (and) get to the basket,”according to Wilkins, "he’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of talent. But I’ll tell you who he is in today’s game: he’s Ralph Sampson."
Sampson has said he hopes Wembanyama can stay healthy and keep developing in the right place, pointing to the Spurs’ Hall of Fame backbone of Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson. He also made it clear he’d be willing to help if asked.
"I've seen him online just a very little bit, but I can't wait to see him in person. I think he is a great talent; Sampson shared a couple of years ago at the Nancy Lieberman Charities 12th annual Dream Ball Gala.
"I just hope the NBA doesn't wear him out, he is long and thin like me, but I think he is in a great place with Coach Popovich, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson who will help him out. If I can be of help, I'll touch bases [one of these days]. It's a different era, different game, but I'm going love watching him develop."
Wembanyama has already leaned into that kind of guidance. During the summer of 2025, he worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon, Sampson’s former teammate, and said the Hall of Famer’s teaching came naturally.
“His advice felt natural. Even though it was a lot, it felt like I was absorbing it every day,” Wembanyama said.
“It looked like it was a pleasure for him to teach. I would want to go again for sure.”
He also trained with Kevin Garnett and said no one matched the way he prepared last summer.
“I can assure you nobody has trained like I did this summer,” Wembanyama said. “I think I’ve maxed out what I could do in one offseason. Now, I need to play basketball.”
That work showed up in the season that followed. Wembanyama won Defensive Player of the Year and helped push the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. The Spurs got their revenge against the Miami Heat and LeBron James after losing in Game 7 the year before.
But the run ended in disappointment. In the Finals rematch against the New York Knicks, San Antonio lost in five games, and Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP.
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