Victor Wembanyama sends NBA world into meltdown with 'absurd' act

The basketball world has never seen anyone quite like French prospect Victor Wembanyama.

At 18 years old, Wembanyama has already been on the radar of NBA scouts for several years, but it wasn't until this week that the 219 centimetre prospect showed off what he could do on American soil.

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Taking part in two exhibition matches against the G-League Ignite, Wembanyama left the basketball world in an absolute frenzy thanks to his absurd level of skill for someone of his size.

Able to off a smooth handle and clean jumpshot from outside, Wembanyama also demonstrated how his height and incredible wingspan could alter the game defensively, racking up an astonishing nine blocks in two games.

He was hardly up against no-name competition either - the two games against the Ignite pitted him against arguably his toughest competition to be drafted first overall in Scoot Henderson.

The two put on a show that captivated the NBA world in their first match-up of the week, which saw the Ignite hold off Wembanyama's Metropolitans 92 in a thrilling contest, 122-115.

The second time out it was Wembanyama who triumphed, dropping an eye-popping 37 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in their 112-106 victory.

The French prospect turned in a highlight reel performance, stunning the crowd with a fading three-pointer off the dribble - an incredible show of skill from the 7'4 giant.

His performances and pedigree have led to him being labelled 'the singular greatest prospect in NBA draft history' by ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.

He also earned high praise from his soon-to-be NBA peers, with the likes of MVP winners LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo impressed by the teenager.

“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien,” James said.

“No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. He’s a generational talent and hopefully he continues to stay healthy.”

Fans were equally amazed by Wembanyama, with an image of him alongside fellow Frenchman an NBA centre Rudy Gobert attracting significant attention with the teenager dwarfing one of the league's tallest players.

Milwaukee Bucks star Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP winner labelled the 'Greek Freak' thanks to his own gigantic physique and skills, said Wembanyama posed an exciting challenge and was looking forward to meeting him on the court.

“The way his skills, the way he could shoot the ball, the way he can move, he’s extremely fast for his size, can block shots, can be a threat on the offensive end, he’s unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo said.

“We have never seen something like that before.

"I think it’s a good challenge for everybody around the league, to have somebody that’s 7’4 be able to shoot, dribble like he’s a guard, to block shots, to run down the floor fast.

"We got to get ready for this kid. He’s going to be really good.”

NBA world erupts after first look at Victor Wembanyama

Flattered by the kind words from various NBA greats, Wembanyama said he didn't want to let anything go to his head, considering it would be more than a year at least before he sets foot on the NBA floor.

“It’s obviously an honour to see such great people talk like this about me,” Wembanyama said.

“But it really doesn’t change anything. People around me sent me this video this morning and I was like, 'Oh that’s cool’, but I just try stay focused.

“The thing is, I didn’t do anything yet. I didn’t play a game in the NBA yet, I wasn’t drafted so I got to stay focused to reach my goals. It’s going to be tough to get better every day and stay consistent.”

Wembanyama does things on the court that seem impossible. He runs the floor like a guard, is deadly in the pick-and-roll option and has a presence in the lane like no one else with his 8-foot wingspan.

"That was one of the most impressive two-game showings in recent scouting history," one NBA scout told Yahoo Sports.

"Whoever gets the No. 1 pick probably won't trade it for anything. He is the most sought-after prospect in a really long time, and he does things on the court that no other player can do."

Wembanyama has done enough in the first five games of his season to shut it down and not log a single minute of five-on-five action, nine months before the draft in June.

The benefit is to avoid any potential injury to his long, lanky frame and stay healthy before he hits the NBA.

Wembanyama brought the speculation he was going to sit out the rest of the season to a standstill, telling reporters after Wednesday's practice he plans on playing the rest of the season.

"I can't accept just to quit like that," Wembanyama said.

"I understand why people would say that, but it's not me. I wouldn't have joined the team if I wasn't going to play and go to the end."

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