Wembanyama's Towering Talent and Rookie Race: A Giant Leap Above the Rest

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At 7-foot-4, Victor Wembanyama ruled the paint and led the Best Rookie list.

Victor Wembanyama, the NBA's colossus alongside Boban Marjanović at 7-foot-4, is captivating the league with his dominance on both ends of the court. And it all started with a growth spurt that would leave even the tallest of us speechless.

At the tender age of nine, Wembanyama was already towering at 5-foot-10, a height most adults can only dream of. This isn't lost on fans, who have taken to social media to marvel and meme about his extraordinary growth trajectory.

Twitter has been flooded with hilarious remarks, ranging from "He fell off then, should have been 10'20" by 18" to "People under 5’10 at 20 years old looking at 9 year old Wemby."

While the jokes flow, Wembanyama's game is no laughing matter. He's locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Chet Holmgren for the Rookie of the Year title, a race that has become a highlight of the 2023-24 season.

Since Week 3, the two have traded the top spot like sneakers on a court, with Wembanyama currently holding the edge after a six-week reign. His consistent performance since the new year has solidified his lead, showcasing a noticeable improvement compared to previous months.

Wembanyama's January statline is a testament to his rising star potential: 24.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. This outshines Holmgren's January averages of 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, especially considering Wembanyama achieves these numbers in just 26.1 minutes of play.

The anticipation is palpable now that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich plans to increase Wembanyama's playing time starting Wednesday against the OKC Thunder. With his recent stellar play despite limited minutes, it's likely that his numbers will continue to soar if he receives more opportunities to shine.

At this rate, Wembanyama's current trajectory makes it difficult to imagine anyone catching up in the Rookie of the Year race. He's not just dominating the paint; he's dominating the entire league's imagination, leaving fans in awe and his competitors in his shadow.

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