Victor Wembanyama is just two seasons into his NBA career, but he’s already turning heads and receiving endless praise from all corners of the basketball world. Among his biggest admirers is Ralph Sampson, a towering legend in the 80s and 90s who knows a thing or two about being a big man in the league.
Standing at a staggering 7’4″, Sampson was an anomaly during his playing days. He could’ve easily played center, but his chemistry with Hakeem Olajuwon on the Houston Rockets made him more of a power forward. His unique combination of size and finesse mirrors what we’re seeing in Victor Wembanyama today—a rare, skillful giant with the potential to dominate the game.
But despite all the hype surrounding the young French star, Sampson is urging the Spurs to be cautious with Wembanyama. Having dealt with his own fair share of injuries throughout his career, Sampson knows the toll that being a big man in the NBA can take on your body. In fact, injuries were a major factor in his early exit from the league back in 1992. He doesn’t want to see Wembanyama’s career cut short for the same reasons.
A Call for Caution
As a big man, Sampson’s worried about how Victor Wembanyama is being managed in San Antonio. After a season-ending injury in 2024-25, Sampson feels the Spurs need to take a step back and let their star player’s body catch up with his incredible talent. While Victor Wembanyama’s ceiling is sky-high, Sampson believes the Spurs need to slow him down and ensure his health is prioritized.
“The game has evolved. Wemby’s gonna be good,” Sampson said at the 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony. “But they need to slow him down a little bit because his body is not ready for 82 games. You understand that?”
With his own career cut short by injuries, Sampson doesn’t want Victor Wembanyama to follow the same path as other greats like Yao Ming, whose career was plagued by injuries despite his dominance on the court. Sampson’s advice isn’t just about playing it safe—it’s about giving Victor Wembanyama the best chance to reach his full potential without his body breaking down too soon.
Victor Wembanyama’s Future Is Bright
There’s no doubt about Victor Wembanyama’s talent—he’s a generational player who can do things most players his size can only dream of. But with a loaded roster of young talent around him, the Spurs are in a great position to ease Victor Wembanyama into his superstar role. With De’Aaron Fox joining the team and top draft picks like Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, the Spurs are building a future that could make a serious postseason push in the 2025-26 season.
But as Sampson wisely points out, success won’t come from pushing Victor Wembanyama too hard too soon. With the right balance between letting him shine and protecting his health, the Spurs have a real shot at building something special around their budding superstar.
As long as the Spurs keep their eyes on the long game, Wembanyama will have plenty of time to fulfill his potential and become the megastar everyone expects him to be. The key will be managing his minutes and ensuring his body stays in tip-top shape. After all, a healthy Wembanyama is a terrifying thought for the rest of the NBA.
