Shaq’s Brutal Truth About Victor Wembanyama: “We’ve Seen This Before, But Nobody Wanted to Listen”

The NBA world has been buzzing about Victor Wembanyama since he was drafted.

The 7-foot-4 phenom, with an alleged 8-foot wingspan, ball-handling wizardry, and a silky jumper, is often described as a unicorn, an alien, or the next LeBron James.

But Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant big men in NBA history, took a different stance.

On live television, Shaq shut down the “Wemi hype,” calling out the narrative that no one has ever seen a player like Wembanyama before.

“You have seen a guy like him,” Shaq said bluntly.

His example? Bol Bol.

Bol Bol, the son of former NBA defensive ace Manute Bol, has a strikingly similar physical profile to Wembanyama: 7-foot-3, 220 pounds, with a 7-foot-8 wingspan.

Both have handles, spin moves, and an ability to shoot threes.

Bol Bol’s college stats at Oregon mirrored Wembanyama’s European numbers—a smooth 52% from three for Bol, and comparable scoring and block rates for Wembanyama in France.

Yet Bol Bol has struggled to live up to his potential.

Since entering the league in 2019, he’s been a perennial bench player, bouncing between teams and unable to secure consistent minutes.

His career highs came with the Orlando Magic, where he averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, shooting 39% from three.

But by midseason, his numbers plummeted—scoring six points per game, shooting a dismal 9% from deep.

The Magic’s system and the modern NBA style, which demands strength and versatility in the paint, exposed Bol’s frailties.

Shaq’s critique was simple yet harsh: Bol Bol’s greatest strength—his outside shooting—became his greatest weakness when the shots stopped falling.

Too skinny to battle inside, Bol couldn’t compensate with other facets of his game.

His turnovers nearly doubled his assists, and despite his handles, he couldn’t run the point effectively.

This is where Wembanyama’s story diverges, at least so far.

Despite similar physical gifts, Wembanyama is thriving.

Early in his rookie season, he’s averaging around 20 points and 10 rebounds, swatting shots at an absurd rate, and showing flashes of playmaking ability.

His shooting percentage from three is modest at 28%, but it’s only the beginning of his NBA journey.

A recent performance against the Phoenix Suns underscored Wembanyama’s potential.

He scored 38 points, grabbed 10 boards, and nailed three of six threes, carrying his team in clutch moments.

Unlike Bol Bol, Wembanyama isn’t just a role player—he’s the go-to guy, unafraid to take over against elite competition.

So why did Shaq compare these two “unicorns”? The answer lies beyond physical attributes and skills.

Both players share rare traits: towering height, length, shooting touch, and ball skills unusual for their size.

But the NBA isn’t just about talent—it’s a mental game.

Shaq emphasized the “secret” to basketball success: mental makeup.

The ability to handle pressure, maintain confidence, and bring relentless dedication separates stars from promising busts.

Wembanyama already shows signs of possessing that clutch gene, while Bol Bol has struggled with consistency and confidence.

Wembanyama’s advantage also comes from his background.

He played against grown men in France as a teenager, gaining valuable experience and tough competition.

Bol Bol, though talented, grew up scrimmaging mostly against peers.

Wembanyama’s early exposure to high-level play and coaching has helped develop his competitive edge.

Still, the road ahead isn’t guaranteed.

Wembanyama is still young, skinny, and physically raw.

The media hype can turn sour if his team struggles or if he faces injuries.

The Spurs, his NBA team, are currently below .500, and losing can test even the strongest minds.

Adding to the intrigue is Chet Holmgren, another lanky, skilled big man with guard-like abilities.

Holmgren, a year ahead in the league, has been impressive post-injury, and early comparisons pit him against Wembanyama as the two “aliens” battling for rookie supremacy.

Odds makers even favor Holmgren slightly for Rookie of the Year.

Shaq’s reluctance to hype Wembanyama blindly stems from hard lessons learned watching players like Bol Bol.

Physical tools and raw skill can only take a player so far.

Without the mental toughness to adapt, improve, and dominate, even the most gifted athletes may fade into obscurity.

The question remains: will Wembanyama break the mold and become the transcendent star many expect?

Can he avoid the pitfalls that derailed Bol Bol’s career?

Will he develop the strength and resilience to thrive in the NBA’s brutal physical environment?

Shaq’s candid assessment serves as a sobering reminder that hype doesn’t equal destiny.

But for now, Wembanyama’s performances suggest he’s on the right path.