San Francisco Bay Area will be hosting the 2024 All-Star game this season and we’re about to see another set of NBA’s best talents share the court all together. It’s been more than 10 years since we last saw a rookie get selected for this prestigious game. But, this season, we could be seeing another name in that discussion. Victor Wembanyama definitely has all the tools to become a rookie All-Star.
Victor Wembanyama has the potential to be selected for the Indianapolis 2024 All-Star game
The general public has spoken. Most of the NBA fans believe that Wembanyama is going to the 2024 All-Star weekend. The 7-foot-4 stud has surpassed expectations and is having a blast in just his first year. He’s already getting a nod for the Defensive Player of the Year award as a rookie, and now, he’s also getting the All-Star appreciation.
Wembanyama will an NBA MVP Award within 5 years of his career.
— West Coast Sports (@WCS_Talk) November 3, 2023
Obviously, Wemby will have to battle for a frontcourt spot with other Western Conference big men. Since the All-Star game will be returning to the East vs West format, let’s name some notable players in the West that could give Wembanyama a run for his money. These guys were selected as 2023 All-Star reserves and are arguably still playing like All-Stars this season. Take note that Nikola Jokic won’t be in this discussion because it’s Jokic!
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz, F-C)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies, F-C)
- Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings, F-C)
- Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans, F)
Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. both had a surprising 2022-2023 season and were selected as a first-time All-Star. The Finnish star was even a starter in Team Giannis while the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year was a reserve. On the other hand, Domantas Sabonis is a consistent double-double machine who at times looks like the best player for Sacramento. The biggest question here is Pelican’s forward Zion Williamson. Zion, 23, has already missed a ton of games due to injuries. Last season, despite only playing 29 games, he was still selected as an All-Star. This season, if he figures out himself, there’s no doubt the 2019 first-overall pick will be representing the West in Indianapolis.
Aside from the names above, Wembanyama also has to worry about Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis taking up the spot. KAT just came off an injury, but if he returns to his old form, the Dominicana native is surely up there. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is having a great season. If he stays healthy and the Lakers continue to win games, he’ll return to the All-Star game alongside teammate LeBron James.
That being said, Victor Wembanyama has to go through all of these NBA stars just to become a rookie All-Star. Is Wemby better than some of them? Probably. Can he become an All-Star in his rookie season? Possibly. Right now, the 19-year-old giant is averaging 19.4 points, 1.7 assists, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2,6 blocks. It’s already impressive enough that he’s doing pretty well against the best players in the world. Not to mention, he had a 38-point outing against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns earlier this month.
Victor Wembanyama tonight vs. the Suns 😳
➤ 38 PTS (career-high)
➤ 10 REB
➤ 2 BLK
➤ 15/26 FG
➤ 3-6 3-PT FG pic.twitter.com/3bcedY8EJt— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 3, 2023
If that’s going to be an indicator of what the future holds for Wembanyama, we believe he’s not just going to be an All-Star, he’s going to be a future MVP. With such huge marketing surrounding the young hooper and the popularity connected to his name, Wembanyama is most likely going to get more votes to become an All-Star (fingers crossed).
Only a handful of players made the All-Star game as a rookie
Even the best players in history like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James weren’t selected as All-Stars in their rookie year. There are only 44 players that were given that opportunity and the most recent one is Blake Griffin in 2011. The legends before him were
- Yao Ming (2003)
- Tim Duncan (1998)
- Grant Hill (1995)
- Shaquille O’Neal (1993)
- Dikembe Mutombo (1992)
- David Robinson (1990)
- Patrick Ewing (1986)
- Michael Jordan (1985)
- Hakeem Olajuwon (1985)
- Ralph Sampson (1984)
- Isiah Thomas (1982)
- Kelly Tripucka (1982)
- Buck Williams (1982)
- Larry Bird (1980)
- Bill Cartwright (1980)
- Magic Johnson (1980) and 28 others
