As the NBA All-Star Weekend rolls on at the newly minted Intuit Dome, one of the league’s brightest young stars took a moment to reflect on the man who’s defined basketball greatness for the past two decades. Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ 7-foot-4 phenom, didn’t hesitate to credit LeBron James as a major influence-not just on his game, but on how he approaches the responsibility of being the face of a franchise, and potentially, the league.
Speaking during All-Star Media Day, Wembanyama offered a thoughtful take on LeBron’s off-court savvy and long-standing presence at the top of the NBA hierarchy.
“He’s very intelligent in those areas,” Wembanyama said, referencing LeBron’s ability to manage the spotlight. “In two decades, very few mistakes-very few PR mistakes-so I think that definitely takes some intelligence.
I think there’s many things to take from him. I never had that chance to spend time with him to have a full discussion, and I would love to talk to him.
I don’t know how many millions of basketball players [there are] on Earth, and all of them can learn something from LeBron.”
That kind of admiration isn’t just lip service. Wembanyama, now in his third NBA season, is putting together the kind of campaign that demands attention.
Through 40 games, the 22-year-old is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting an efficient 51.1% from the field and a respectable 36.3% from deep. Those are numbers that don’t just jump off the stat sheet-they scream franchise cornerstone.
And the Spurs? They’re rolling.
Heading into the All-Star break, San Antonio sits at 38-16, good for second in the Western Conference, riding the momentum of a six-game win streak. It’s the kind of midseason surge that turns heads-and sparks conversations.
Earlier this week on NBA Today, former NBA center Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words, calling Wembanyama the “new face of the NBA.” Perkins pointed to Wemby’s production, his global appeal, and his comfort in the spotlight as signs that the league’s next chapter might already be here.
There’s a reason this conversation is gaining steam. Wembanyama isn’t just dominating on the court-he’s doing it with a poise and presence that feels rare for someone his age. And he’s doing it while clearly studying the blueprint laid out by a player who’s been the standard for more than 20 years.
"He's very intelligent... Very few PR mistakes. I think that definitely takes some intelligence... I would love to [talk to him about that]... All of them can learn something from LeBron."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026
Victor Wembanyama on LeBron James' impact as the face of the NBA.pic.twitter.com/o94wUlNMdy
LeBron, now in his 22nd season with the Lakers, has set the gold standard for what it means to be a superstar in the modern NBA-on the court, in the locker room, and in the public eye. Wembanyama sees that, and he’s taking notes.
As the league begins to pivot toward its next era, the passing of the torch doesn’t always come with a single moment. Sometimes it’s a gradual shift, shaped by performances, presence, and the way young stars carry themselves when the spotlight’s brightest.
Right now, Wembanyama isn’t just chasing greatness-he’s learning from it. And if his trajectory holds, the league’s future might already be standing on center stage.