Inside The Spurs

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama vs. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero: 2K Ratings Spark Debate

Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero, the latest two No. 1 picks, could be future superstars in the NBA.
Hunter De Siver|
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama vs. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero: 2K Ratings Spark Debate
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama vs. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero: 2K Ratings Spark Debate

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San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is making history all across the board.

Wembanyama's 84 rating is the highest-ever for a rookie in the video game's history, beating out New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson's 81.

As crazy as Wembanyama's record-breaking rating is, it's reflective of the hype around him. The Frenchman has made NBA analysts drool over his staggering 7-foot-3.5 height combined with his ability to shoot and block shots.

When the NBA community thinks of the most-hyped basketball prospects, the general consensus includes LeBron James, Williamson and Wembanyama.

But what about reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero?

After a historic rookie season, the Orlando Magic forward also clocked in with an 84 rating, matching Wembanyama's.

Banchero's 20 points, seven rebound and four assist averages are reflective of the rating.

His start to his NBA career couldn't have gone much better, as the 6-10 power forward became the first rookie since LeBron James to have 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in his NBA debut.

Shortly after, Banchero became the third player in NBA history to score more than 20 points in 15 of his first 20 games as a rookie.

The Magic's record was still subpar (34-48), but he helped the team improve its mark by 12 games. The league recognized all his accolades and donned him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The fact that it took all of that to get to Wembanyama's level before he even steps on an NBA court is another reason to get behind his hype.

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Hunter De Siver
HUNTER DE SIVER

Hunter De Siver is the lead basketball writer for BamaCentral and has covered Crimson Tide football since 2024. He previously distributed stories about the NFL and NBA for On SI and was a staff writer for Missouri Tigers On SI and Cowbell Corner. Before that, Hunter generated articles highlighting Crimson Tide products in the NFL and NBA for BamaCentral as an intern in 2022 and 2023. Hunter is a graduate from the University of Alabama, earning a degree in sports media in 2023.

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