“He’s going to be an iconic player,” the late Jerry West isn’t the only one to make such a prediction about Spurs Frenchman Victor Wembanyama. After winning the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama continued to show exceptional performance and improvement. While he is already planning to serve another exciting performance in the next season, a former NBA player and analyst Jamal Crawford has come forward with a prediction about the player.

Crawford recalled his first encounter with Wembanyama during a game. He stated how the rookie was in the weight room right after the game and came out to speak and seek some guidance and wisdom from him. “It’s crazy Wemby has a has the potential to be I’ll say one of the very best ever yeah and it’s not because of stuff you can see the thing about him…It’s the little things,” Crawford said, via the Captain Jack Podcast.

He further shared how Wembanyama refused to get on the stage unless his teammates were also called upon. He further added, “Those little things I’m stretching I’m taking care of my body you saw the thing where I think Drake wanted him to come on stage, he was like can my teammates come and they was like no. He’s like well I’m not coming like those little details, yeah is going to be the great separator from going from good to great, great to greater, great to the greatest.”

It seems this incident really sparked their friendship. Wembanyama was also seen practicing with Crawford.

Jamal Crawford helped Victor Wembanyama hone his ball-handling skills

Crawford was one of the best ball handlers, with an unimaginable wingspan. The former Chicago Bulls player holds the record for the most career four-point plays. No wonder Wembanyama sought Crawford for advice. Pictures of Crawford and Wembanyama practicing together in the offseason surprised netizens. Naturally, Wembanyama plans to bring out his best for the next season.

USA Today via Reuters

“So we hooked up at All-Star Weekend, and I just showed him some freestyle moves, and from there, our relationship just took off,” Crawford said during his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. As mentioned, Crawford isn’t the only one praising Wembanyama. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had high praise for the Frenchman as well. Even Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James claimed that Wembanyama was “special.”

He is the third San Antonio Spur to win Rookie of the Year since Robinson and Tim Duncan in 1998. While many argued that Wembanyama’s debut wasn’t anything like Nikola Jokic, he has still shown an incredible start. He had an impressive and record-breaking season this year, and we can only wait to see what the future holds for Wembanyama.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.