Victor Wembanyama is ‘the best player in the WORLD’, claims Magic Johnson

Victor Wembanyama is a consensus No 1 pick for the upcoming NBA draft – but Lakers legend Magic Johnson has gone one further by incredibly claiming the French teen is the best player in the world.  

Johnson, considered by many NBA fans as the greatest point-guard in league history, has been blown away by 7-foot-four Wembanyama’s skillset – despite not playing a single minute in the NBA.

The pair got to catch up courtside Thursday at NBA Paris ahead of the Pistons’ clash with the Bulls, and Johnson would go on to tweet his bold claim when the game was over. 

Lakers icon Magic Johnson (left) called Victor Wembanyama (middle) the best in the world

Johnson made the bold claim after the two met at NBA Paris Thursday ahead of Pistons-Bulls

‘I had the chance to meet and talk to the best player in the world and this year’s number one pick in the NBA draft Victor Wembanyama!’ Johnson tweeted, along with two photos of him and Wembanyama.

Wembanyama was mobbed for photos before tip-off and Johnson wasn’t alone in being eager to talk to him.

But it remains a hugely bold call to anoint Wembanyama, 19 and without a single minute of NBA ball on his CV, the world’s greatest when superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokoumpo are thriving. 

Johnson (left) has been blown away by the projected No 1 pick for the 2023 NBA draft (right)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver could barely hide his excitement about Wembanyama entering the league later this year as the No 1 pick – the selection is almost set in stone, it is just the team picking him that remains up in the air.

‘Everything I hear has been enormously positive,’ Silver told Associated Press in Paris. 

‘Not just about his size, his strength, his agility, his skill on the court, but I’m told he’s a wonderful young man and that he’s very bright, he’s very engaged, humble at the same time.

Silver added: ‘I just want to be fair to him. You know, I don’t think it should be my role to anoint him as the next great one. I’ll let others do that. 

The French phenom was a man in demand as he was mobbed for pictures before tip-off

Wembanyama (left) plays for Metropolitans 92 and is dazzling with a unique blend of skills

‘But I know the league is excited to have him. And the fact that he’s French, and the interest he will generate in this country but also in Europe is not lost on me. And so, all positive so far.’

Wembanyama plays for Metropolitans 92 in France and has been selling out their arena in what is his final few months before the NBA draft.

His skillset of shooting from the perimeter and dominating as a rim protector, the like of which has never been seen in recent decades, has teams salivating as they seek a franchise talent.

But whether he walks in the league and fulfills Johnson’s bold claim is another matter entirely.