How LeBron Shaped Victor Wembanyama’s Journey to Becoming the Face of the NBA

As The NBA All-Star festivities continue at the Intuit Dome, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Vembanyama acknowledged influence Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James had on his understanding what it means to be the face of the league.

Wembanyama spoke during NBA All-Star media day on Saturday, reflecting on James’ two-decade run in the sport’s spotlight.

“He’s very intelligent in those areas, and he’s obviously the face of the league. And in two decades, very few mistakes, like very few PR mistakes, so I think that definitely takes intelligence. I think there’s a lot of things to take from him. I’ve never had that opportunity to spend time with him to have a full discussion and I’d love to talk to him… I don’t know how many millions of basketball players on Earth I don’t know how many are in basketball. LeBron.”

The comments come as Vembanyama continues to thrive in his third NBA season. The 22-year-old is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range in 40 games.

“He’s very intelligent. . . . Very few PR mistakes. I think it definitely takes some intelligence. . . . I’d love to (talk to him about it) . . . They can all learn something from LeBron.”

Victor Wembanyama on LeBron James’ impact as the face of the NBA.pic.twitter.com/o94vUlNMdi

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The LeBron James draft is shaping the rise of Victor Wembanyama as the next face of the NBA

San Antonio enters the All-Star break at 38-16good for second place in the Western Conference and a six-game winning streak. The spurt spurred on by the Spurs the growing conversation about Vembanyama’s place among the league’s elite.

Earlier this week on NBA Today, the former center Kendrick Perkins announced Vembanyama as the new face of the NBAciting his production, global appeal and willingness to embrace the spotlight. The discussion has intensified as the Spurs position themselves as contenders in the West.

For Vembanyama, the plan remains clear. James, now in his 22nd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has managed to handle the fame while maintaining consistent excellence on the court. From performance to professionalism, Vembanyama looks to the four-time champion as a model for longevity and leadership.

As the league looks toward its next era, the intersection between James’ legacy and Vembanyama’s rise continues to shape the narrative surrounding the NBA’s future.