JAG on Wembanyama: 'He'll Be One of the Greats, Period'

Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA by storm. In just his second season, the San Antonio Spurs' franchise center has evolved from a historic prospect into a bonafide superstar, and now, with the Spurs competing in the NBA Finals, the question on everyone's lips is no longer whether Wemby is good, but just how good he can ultimately become. We caught up with JAG, veteran emcee, entrepreneur, and sharp basketball mind, to get his honest, unfiltered take on the phenom out of San Antonio.

The Real Deal: JAG Doesn't Mince Words

When you ask JAG about Wembanyama, there is no hedging, no "let's wait and see." The verdict is already in.

"I believe Wemby's the real deal, of course. Every player who comes in extraordinarily that young usually does have a little hype. So, of course, he has hype on him, but from what I can see, he's the future." — JAG, to LandonBuford.com

It's a sentiment that resonates across the league. At 7'3" with a wingspan that defies logic and handles and shot-creation that would be elite at any size, Wembanyama represents something the NBA has simply never seen before. JAG recognizes that rarity, and he's not willing to let the noise of hype overshadow what is clearly an extraordinary reality.

The One Missing Piece: A Hakeem-Type Post Game

Even in his praise, JAG zeroes in on the one area where he believes Wembanyama can ascend to an entirely different level: the post.

"If he can develop the post-game to go along with the rest of his game — if he can get a turnaround jump shot, a Hakeem Olajuwon-type post-game — he'll be one of the greatest centers of all time. He'll be one of the greats, period." — JAG

The Hakeem comparison is not made lightly. The Dream was the gold standard of big-man footwork, a maestro of misdirection and post artistry whose "Dream Shake" became the stuff of legend. JAG is essentially saying that Wemby's skill set, combined with that kind of interior polish, would put him in the conversation with the all-time giants of the game — Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, and yes, Hakeem himself.

It's worth noting that Wembanyama is only 20 years old. The fact that the conversation around adding a deeper post game is the primary frontier of development — rather than athleticism, defensive instincts, or playmaking — speaks volumes about how far ahead of the curve he already is.

More Than Talent: The Will, Dedication, and Determination Factor

What separates the great from the legendary is rarely pure talent. It is the intangibles — the obsessive drive, the coachability, the willingness to put in the unseen work when the cameras are off. For JAG, Wembanyama checks every one of those boxes.

"You can tell he definitely has the will to do it, is dedicated, and is determined." — JAG

Those who have watched Wembanyama closely will recognize this immediately. He studies the game with a scholar's intensity, dissecting film and seeking out the wisdom of legends. Reports have surfaced that Wembanyama has reached out to former greats to learn from their experiences. His comments in press conferences often reveal a philosophical, almost academic approach to basketball, a young man who understands that the work never stops.

Wemby on and off the Court: A Leader by Example

The 2026 NBA Finals have already showcased Wembanyama's brilliance in a different light. After the Spurs' 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3, Wembanyama made headlines not just for his performance, but for his character. When informed that a number of Knicks fans had clashed with police officers and been verbally and physically abusive toward Spurs supporters outside Bryant Park, he was unequivocal in his condemnation.

"My thoughts of course [are] that we can't forget it's a game. We're just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It's unacceptable." — Victor Wembanyama

Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns echoed that sentiment, reminding fans that the game is built on respect and that the physicality belongs on the court, not in the streets.

In calling out the behavior directly, Wembanyama demonstrated a maturity and moral clarity that goes beyond basketball. It is exactly the kind of leadership that JAG seems to be pointing to, the character of a player who genuinely wants to elevate the game, not just dominate it.

The Verdict: Hype Has a Foundation

Hype, by its nature, is fragile. It inflates, distorts, and eventually collapses under the weight of reality. But every so often, a player arrives who is not weighed down by hype but carried forward by it, because the truth of their talent is larger than any narrative the media can construct. Wembanyama appears to be one of those players.

JAG's assessment isn't blind enthusiasm. It's a calibrated read from someone who has watched the game for decades and understands what greatness looks like at its earliest stages. The path is clear: if Wembanyama develops the post-game to complement his already-elite perimeter skills, shot-blocking, and court vision, the ceiling is not just NBA stardom; it's immortality.

For now, the San Antonio Spurs are in the NBA Finals, and at the center of it all stands a 20-year-old from Versailles, France, who is rapidly making the case that he may be the most unique player this league has ever seen. If JAG is right, and the evidence is mounting in his favor, we are witnessing the early chapters of one of the greatest stories the NBA has ever told.