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Victor Wembanyama vs. LeBron James stats: Spurs rising star following Year 2 path of Lakers legend


If you've been paying close attention, you may notice history is repeating itself in the NBA.

In 2003, LeBron James was the league's most hyped draft prospect in a long while, entering the league as a teenager with astronomical expectations. Twenty years later, Victor Wembanyama entered the league as the most hyped draft prospect since James, and at 19, he faced similarly high expectations.

Just like James, it didn't take long for Wembanyama to do all that was expected of him and then some. And just like James, Wembanyama will make his All-Star debut during his sophomore season in the league.

James' unprecedented longevity means that he'll still be in action when Wembanyama makes his All-Star debut, making this connection that much stronger. As Wembanyama continues his trajectory toward all-time greatness, here's how his first All-Star season compares to James'.

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Here is a look at Wembanyama's stats through 45 games in his second NBA season and James' numbers during the 2004-05 NBA season.

Stat Wembanyama James Age 21 20 PPG 24.4 27.2 RPG 11.0 7.4 APG 3.6 7.2 SPG 1.2 2.2 BPG 3.9 0.7 FG% 47.7 47.2 3P% 35.5 35.1 FT% 83.4 75.0

Coming off of a Rookie of the Year nod, James made a superstar leap in his second NBA season and positioned himself to be considered among the NBA's elite as an All-Star and an All-NBA selection.

Wembanyama was named Rookie of the Year in 2024 and has now made the leap to be considered one of the league's top 10 players (at worst), though he's likely closer to a top-five player.

With an impressive season already under his belt, Wembanyama will have two more months of the NBA season to put a bow on a campaign that will likely end with an All-NBA nod, All-Defensive Team selection, and, potentially, Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Up first, though, is the All-Star debut.

James' well-documented debut was a notable one — he was voted in as an All-Star starter and finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a 10-point win for the Eastern Conference.

The format will be much different in 2025, but if we're using James' career as a basis, it's fair to expect even more big things from Wembanyama when he steps onto the All-Star stage for the first time.

This year's festivities may not be a coronation of Wembanyama, but they should serve as yet another resounding reminder that he has arrived and will be a force for years to come. Maybe even through his 22nd NBA season.

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