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Victor Wembanyama has already become one of the NBA‘s biggest stars, but ESPN analyst Vincent Goodwill thinks the San Antonio Spurs forward is still far from his ceiling. After a remarkable 2025-26 season, Goodwill argued that the rest of the league should be concerned about what comes next.
Speaking on NBA on ESPN, Goodwill pointed to Wembanyama’s physical development during the postseason as the next major step in his evolution.
“Shockingly, I think there’s a lot more room to grow,” Goodwill said. “When you looked at the playoffs last year, especially the last two rounds, when his minutes went up, his efficiency went down.”
MORE: Chris Bosh shares important advice to Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama after recent health scare
Goodwill explained that Wembanyama averaged 29 minutes during the regular season before playing 34 minutes in the playoffs and 39 in the NBA Finals.
“You got to see him being a little more fatigued, a little more tired,” Goodwill said. “It takes a little time, guys, to figure out how long, how hard you have to play getting through this gauntlet of the NBA playoffs and the season, not just the 82 games, but four playoff rounds.”
New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball during the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Goodwill said that Wembanyama’s learning curve is the only missing piece.
“Just because he’s pressed the fast-forward button on everything else does not mean he’s going to skip that particular step,” Goodwill said. “That makes me very excited. If I’m some of the other 29 NBA teams, I’d be very afraid of what’s going to happen over the next couple of years when he starts to really figure it out.”
The numbers support that optimism. Wembanyama won the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year award and earned All-NBA First Team honors. He averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and an NBA-leading 3.08 blocks while helping San Antonio finish 62-20.
The Spurs then reached the NBA Finals after eliminating Portland, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City. Wembanyama became the youngest player to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks during a postseason.
MORE: 3 NBA teams that are overrated heading into the 2026-2027 season
So, Goodwill’s warning is justified. Wembanyama already impacts both ends of the floor at an elite level. As his conditioning improves and he adjusts to deeper playoff runs, San Antonio’s franchise cornerstone could become an even greater challenge for every contender in the league.
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Speaking on NBA on ESPN, Goodwill pointed to Wembanyama’s physical development during the postseason as the next major step in his evolution.
“Shockingly, I think there’s a lot more room to grow,” Goodwill said. “When you looked at the playoffs last year, especially the last two rounds, when his minutes went up, his efficiency went down.”
MORE: Chris Bosh shares important advice to Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama after recent health scare
Goodwill explained that Wembanyama averaged 29 minutes during the regular season before playing 34 minutes in the playoffs and 39 in the NBA Finals.
“You got to see him being a little more fatigued, a little more tired,” Goodwill said. “It takes a little time, guys, to figure out how long, how hard you have to play getting through this gauntlet of the NBA playoffs and the season, not just the 82 games, but four playoff rounds.”
Spurs have every reason to expect another leap
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New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball during the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Goodwill said that Wembanyama’s learning curve is the only missing piece.
“Just because he’s pressed the fast-forward button on everything else does not mean he’s going to skip that particular step,” Goodwill said. “That makes me very excited. If I’m some of the other 29 NBA teams, I’d be very afraid of what’s going to happen over the next couple of years when he starts to really figure it out.”
The numbers support that optimism. Wembanyama won the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year award and earned All-NBA First Team honors. He averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and an NBA-leading 3.08 blocks while helping San Antonio finish 62-20.
The Spurs then reached the NBA Finals after eliminating Portland, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City. Wembanyama became the youngest player to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks during a postseason.
MORE: 3 NBA teams that are overrated heading into the 2026-2027 season
So, Goodwill’s warning is justified. Wembanyama already impacts both ends of the floor at an elite level. As his conditioning improves and he adjusts to deeper playoff runs, San Antonio’s franchise cornerstone could become an even greater challenge for every contender in the league.
Continue reading...
