Victor Wembanyama is ‘the best player in the WORLD’, claims Magic Johnson

Victor Wembanyama is the consensus No. 1 pick for the upcoming NBA draft, but Lakers legend Magic Johnson has gone further by making the unbelievable claim that the French teenager is the best player in the world.

Johnson, considered by many NBA fans to be the greatest point guard in league history, was impressed by the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama’s skill set, despite not playing a single minute in the NBA.

The pair were able to catch up on court on Thursday in NBA Paris ahead of the Pistons’ clash with the Bulls, and Johnson would continue to tweet his bold claim after the game ended.

Lakers icon Magic Johnson (left) called Victor Wembanyama (center) the best in the world

Johnson made the bold claim after the two squared off in NBA Paris on Thursday before the Pistons-Bulls

“I had the opportunity to meet and speak with the best player in the world and this year’s number one pick in the NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama!” Johnson tweeted, along with two photos of him and Wembanyama.

Wembanyama was mobbed for photos before kick-off and Johnson wasn’t the only one eager to talk to him.

But it’s still a very bold call to anoint Wembanyama, 19 years old and without an NBA minute on his resume, the best in the world when superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokoumpo are on. thriving.

Johnson (left) has been impressed by the projected No. 1 pick for the 2023 NBA draft (right)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver could barely hide his excitement over Wembanyama’s entry into the league later this year as the No. 1 pick: the pick is almost set in stone, it’s only the team that picks him that stays in the air.

“Everything I’ve heard has been hugely positive,” Silver told the Associated Press in Paris.

“Not just about his size, his strength, his agility, his ability on the court, but I’ve been told he’s a wonderful young man and he’s very bright, very committed and humble at the same time.”

Silver added: ‘I just want to be fair to him. You know, I don’t think my role should be to anoint him the next great one. I’ll let others do that.

The French phenom was a man in demand as he was hounded for photos before the tip-off.

Wembanyama (left) plays for Metropolitans 92 and is stunning with a unique combination of skills.

‘But I know the league is excited to have him. And the fact that it is French, and the interest that it will generate in this country, but also in Europe, is not lost on me. And so, all positive so far.

Wembanyama plays for Metropolitans 92 in France and has been packing his stadium in what are his last few months before the NBA draft.

His skill set to shoot from the perimeter and dominate as a rim protector, unlike anything seen in decades, has teams salivating for franchise talent.

But whether he walks in the league and lives up to Johnson’s bold claim is another matter entirely.