As NBA All-Star festivities continue at the Intuit Dome, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama acknowledged the influence of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James on his understanding of what it means to be the face of the league.
Wembanyama spoke during the NBA's All-Star media day on Saturday, reflecting on James' two-decade tenure at the center of the sport's spotlight.
"He's very intelligent in the areas in which he's obviously the face of the league. And in two decades, very few mistakes like very few PR mistakes, so I think there's definitely some intelligence required. I think there's a lot of things to learn from him. I've never had a chance to spend time with him to have a full discussion and I would love to talk to him... I don't know how many millions of basketball players there are on Earth and they could all learn something from LeBron."
The comments come as Wembanyama heads into his third NBA season. The 22-year-old is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range in 40 games.
"She's very intelligent... Very few mistakes are made in PR. I think it definitely requires some intelligence... I would love to do that [talk to him about that]...They could all learn something from LeBron.
Victor Wembanyama on the impact of LeBron James as the face of the NBA.pic.twitter.com/o94wUlNMdy
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026
LeBron James' blueprint shapes Victor Wembanyama's rise as the next face of the NBA
San Antonio entered the All-Star break with a 38–16 record, good for second place in the Western Conference, and are on a six-game winning streak. Spurs' progress has fueled growing conversation about Wembanyama's place among the league's elite.
Earlier this week on NBA Today, former center Kendrick Perkins declared Wembanyama the new face of the NBA, citing his production, global appeal and willingness to be in the spotlight. The buzz has heated up as Spurs position themselves as contenders in the West.
For Vembanyama, the blueprint is clear. James, now in his 22nd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has risen to stardom by consistently excelling on the court. From performance to professionalism, Vembanayama looks to the four-time champions as a model for longevity and leadership.
As the league looks toward its next era, the intersection between James' legacy and the rise of Wembanyama is shaping the narrative around the future of the NBA.
