Victor Wembaneyama possesses abilities that no one else in the NBA—or perhaps anywhere on Earth—can match. The San Antonio Spurs star made his return to the court on Tuesday after missing two games due to a hyperextended left knee. Though he came off the bench as a precaution and was reportedly on a minutes limit, any doubts about his physical readiness vanished during the first quarter when the FanDuel Sports Network captured him kicking multiple basketballs into the net.
Yes, Wembaneyama used his right foot, but performing such a feat requires complete confidence and strength in the lower body, especially while being about 10 feet off the ground near the rim. Officially listed as the tallest player in the NBA at 7 feet 4 inches, there are rumors he may actually be a few inches taller. His remarkable athleticism for someone his size explains how he can lift his feet a full 12 inches above his head.
To put this in perspective, the Guinness World Records states that the highest solo male martial arts kick is 2.94 meters (9 feet 8 inches). Watch the clip again and judge if Wembaneyama’s foot came within four inches of the rim—and then consider he might have just been having fun. It’s an extraordinary display from an extraordinary athlete.
In the game itself, Wembaneyama tallied 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting, with five rebounds and three assists, all in just 21 minutes, though the Spurs narrowly lost 106-105 to the Memphis Grizzlies. There might not be anyone better equipped to take over a basketball game than Wembaneyama—and that doesn’t even include the impressive kick.
Fan Take: This highlights why Wembaneyama is a once-in-a-generation talent who could redefine basketball as we know it. His unique blend of size, skill, and athleticism promises to elevate the game and inspire a new era of players and fans alike.
