Victor Wembanyama’s rise has been meteoric—but not without debate. The San Antonio Spurs center was recently ranked No. 5 on ESPN’s annual Top 100 list, vaulting ahead of stars such as Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Jalen Brunson.
It’s a stunning leap considering Wembanyama debuted at No. 11 last year and has yet to log a single playoff appearance.
A Leap Without Credentials?
GettyMany fans question whether Wembanyama deserves a Top 5 spot without playoff experience.
In reaction to the full release of ESPN’s Top 100, the network’s writers shared their thoughts on the biggest snubs and surprises from the rankings.
NBA reporter Jamal Collier headlined the “Most Surprising Ranking” section with Victor Wembanyama’s placement, writing:
“Victor Wembanyama is awesome, but top 10 is too high for him at this moment. I’m not saying he won’t get there—even by the end of this upcoming season. But he simply doesn’t have the credentials or pressure performances of the other top-10 players in the league.”
That lack of résumé compared to someone like Anthony Edwards has been the flashpoint.
The Minnesota guard just carried the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals, averaged 27.6 points in the regular season, and made history with an NBA-best 320 three-pointers on nearly 40% shooting. Yet he landed one spot below Wembanyama.
Fans quickly pointed out the gap in postseason impact. Edwards has gone toe-to-toe with the league’s best in May and June. Wembanyama has yet to step on that stage.
Victor Wembanyama’s Statistical Case
GettyWembanyama’s rapid rise shows the NBA’s belief in his generational ceiling.
What Wembanyama lacks in playoff pedigree, he makes up for in statistical dominance.
Before being shut down with a shoulder blood clot in February, the 7-foot-4 phenom was putting up 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and an NBA-leading 3.8 blocks per game across just 46 appearances.
His efficiency ticked up from his rookie season, hitting 47.6% from the field, 35.2% from deep, and 83.6% at the line.
His highs were eye-popping: a 50-point outburst in November, a 23-rebound game in January, and a rare 10-block night in December.
Add in his first All-Star selection and a leading candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year before the blood clot diagnosis, and the statistical profile looks like someone already belonging among the game’s elites.
Projection vs. Proven
GettyWith the preseason hype at an all-time high, Victor Wembanyama enters his third season with expectations to make noise in the Western Conference this season.
That seems to be the real debate. Edwards, Brunson, Curry, and others already own playoff moments, clutch shots, and championship résumés. Wembanyama’s ranking is a bet on where he’s headed, not where he’s been.
Doctors have since cleared him for full activity, and he’s reportedly looked “stellar” in offseason runs. If he translates that to a healthy 2025-26 campaign, the debate could quickly shift from why is he here so soon? to was ESPN actually too low?
Until then, the ranking remains a flashpoint. Is it fair to put Wembanyama in the same tier as icons with rings and MVPs—or even just above Edwards, who has already shown he can be the best player on a deep playoff team?
That’s the polarizing reality of Victor Wembanyama’s rapid ascension.
For now, his No. 5 ranking is both a recognition of his generational ceiling and a reminder that the NBA’s hierarchy isn’t just about what you’ve done—it’s about what people believe you’re about to do.
ESPN Top-100 Surprise Placement of Victor Wembayama Sparks Social Media Outrage