Victor Wembanyama’s First 100 Games: Jaw-Dropping Stats That Redefine Excellence

Victor Wembanyama is the first athlete since Shaquille O’Neal to maintain an average of no less than 20 points and 10 rebounds prior to reaching 21.

Victor Wembanyama’s period as a 20-year-old in the NBA has concluded. He celebrates his 21st birthday on Saturday.

And on the day before that celebration, Wembanyama achieved yet another benchmark — 100 NBA games.

A glance at how the San Antonio star ranks in various statistical categories, both at his age and at the centennial game benchmark of his career.

Points: 2,278

Wembanyama is the seventh individual over the past 45 years to accumulate that many points in his initial 100 games, joining the ranks of Michael Jordan (2,721), Zion Williamson (2,524), David Robinson (2,476), Shaquille O’Neal (2,427), Luka Doncic (2,332) and Terry Cummings (2,305).

He is the 12th player to reach that scoring threshold before turning 21. LeBron James — with 4,649 points in 186 games before his 21st birthday — tops that list.

Wembanyama’s 35 points on Friday during a win against Denver raised his career average to 22.7 points, narrowly surpassing where Kevin Durant was before reaching 21. The only athletes with no less than 50 games who averaged more points before turning 21 are: Williamson (25.7), James (25.0), Doncic (24.2) and O’Neal (24.0).

Rebounds: 1,053

Wembanyama is the first player since O’Neal to attain an average of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds prior to celebrating his 21st birthday.

O’Neal averaged 24 points and 14.2 rebounds in 54 games before that milestone. Wembanyama is currently averaging 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds.

Assists: 386

Numerous players have recorded that many assists before reaching 21 years old, or through their first 100 games.

However, centers? That’s where Wembanyama distinguishes himself.

The only 7-foot centers to achieve that tally of assists through their first 100 games are Bill Walton (who was measured between 6-foot-11 and 7-foot-1 during his career) and Brad Daugherty. Walton had 440 assists, while Daugherty had 398.

Blocks: 366

Since blocks became an official statistic in 1971-72, only two players recorded more in their initial 100 games than Wembanyama.

Manute Bol had 425. David Robinson had 383. Again, it’s great company to be associated with.

“He’s a phenomenal shot-blocker,” remarked Denver coach Michael Malone on Friday.

3-pointers: 225

This statistic is quite remarkable. He has outperformed Stephen Curry — the all-time leader in the NBA — in terms of 3-pointers made through 100 games.

Curry made 200 in his initial 100 NBA games. Wembanyama has achieved 225 3-pointers, ranking as the 11th-highest in 100 games in NBA history.

Just a reminder: He stands at 7-foot-4, playing as a center, not as a guard, despite possessing all the skills of a guard.