Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg are two names lighting up the NBA, and while Wembanyama still holds the upper hand in terms of skill, Flagg has already made his mark in a unique way.
Wembanyama, often compared to the legendary LeBron James, entered the league with sky-high expectations. While he might not mirror LeBron's exact skill set, his marketability and potential as a future face of the NBA echo the arrival of "The Chosen One" back in 2003.
And Wembanyama has lived up to the hype. He's already a two-time All-Star and earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. If it weren't for a season curtailed by blood clots, he might have snagged his first All-NBA Team selection along with a likely Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
In his rookie season, Wembanyama averaged an impressive 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game-one of the standout debuts in NBA history. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg, who just entered the league, has been making waves but hasn't quite matched Wembanyama's initial impact.
However, Flagg has claimed a unique victory over Wembanyama.
Flagg Breaks Wemby's Rookie Record
In recent years, the NBA has been auctioning off historical memorabilia, and Wembanyama's debut jersey previously held the record, selling for a whopping $762,000.
But this season, the league added special patches to rookie jerseys for their first games. Despite the Mavericks' loss to the Spurs in the season opener, Flagg's jersey, featuring this unique patch, sold for an incredible $1 million.
While Flagg hasn't reached Wembanyama's level yet, both players are expected to dominate the league for years to come. Representing two storied franchises eager to reclaim past glory, their rivalry is further fueled by international competition.
Flagg's Mavericks may not have bested the Spurs yet, but fans can anticipate plenty of playoff showdowns. Plus, with Wembanyama leading France and Flagg representing Team USA, their paths seem destined to cross at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where both teams are favorites to compete for gold.