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Jamal Crawford has spent enough time around basketball to know when a young player sees the game differently. The 3-time Sixth Man of the Year got a much closer look at Victor Wembanyama during a workout with him, and what stood out had little to do with the Frenchman’s on-court ability.
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Since entering the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick, Wemby has shown that his size is only one part of what makes him a generational star. He has worked on his mobility, strength and skill set while continuing to learn new parts of the game from veterans, which is why Crawford was floored by how quickly Wemby processed information. He saw that approach up close and came away with something he had rarely seen a young player do.
“I’ve never seen nothing like it. I’ve never ever seen somebody that can process – like some people can learn it, but not a lot of people can apply. They can hear what you’re saying, but they can’t go do it themselves,” Crawford
“He could do it quicker than I’ve ever seen. Like the way he was like breaking stuff down, like, “Oh, I got it. Got it. Got it.'”
J-Crossover wasn’t only impressed by what Wemby could do during a workout, but their conversations during some dinners together gave him another reason to believe the 22-year-old is wired differently.
Wemby’s curiosity will make him a billionaire
For someone who has already become one of the best players in the NBA, Wembanyama doesn’t appear to be satisfied with what he already knows.
That curiosity caught Crawford’s attention because he could see Wemby wanting to add to his game, almost like he was collecting different skills and finding ways to put them together, which the former NBA guard referred to as collecting “infinity stones” of basketball knowledge.
“Everything’s intentional and he’s curious. He doesn’t know it all but you can tell he wants to know it all.”
“This is a future billionaire… he hasn’t said it, but you can tell, bro, he wants to be the best ever. You can just feel it. You can feel the way he prepares, the way he thinks.” Crawford added.
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Wemby might not say it, but his mentality has already shown what he’s capable of. After winning the unanimous Rookie of the Year award and leading the league in blocks in all three of his NBA seasons, he continued to add to his resume by winning the DPOY this past campaign.
He is averaging more than 25 points per game, and his impact on the defensive end for the San Antonio Spurs is one of the biggest reasons behind their success.
Wemby is building more than a basketball career
Wembenyama’s mentality has also made him much more than an average Joe off the court. He has been selective with his commercial opportunities, working with brands that fit his personality and profile, rather than jumping on every deal that comes his way.
His tie-up with Louis Vuitton has given him presence in the luxury fashion space, while Nike is focused on building his “Alien” brand. In July 2026, Nike also extended its relationship with Wemby with a long-term deal that includes his own signature show line.
The collection is set to feature a custom logo built around his initials “VW” and his well-known nickname. Most importantly, he signed a $252 million maximum rookie extension with the Spurs, giving him the kind of security that very few players get this early.
Why wouldn’t anyone feel that he’s going for that billionaire status? The talent is obvious, but so is the ambition.
Related: “We put a plan in motion to turn the team over” – Spurs GM Brian Wright admits San Antonio intentionally tanked for Victor Wembanyama
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This story was originally published August 18, 2026 at 9:12 AM.