Kendrick Perkins has indeed said that Victor Wembanyama is a ‘great role model’ for himself
Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins drew attention on Thursday night after the comparison San Antonio Spurs star Victor Vembanyama to himself during a postgame segment on NBA Today.
Remarks followed San Antonio’s 135-123 win over the Dallas Mavericksa performance in which Vembanyama once again showed his extended offensive range and all-round influence.
Perkins said Vembanyama’s approach it reflects his refusal to be confined traditional expectations for a player of his size.
“Victor Vembanyama, he refuses to let us put him in the box, doesn’t he? It’s like people were complaining that we wanted him to go inside more – he took those three balls yesterday and knocked them down. He’s a great example for me.”
Kendrick Perkins on Victor Wembanyama “He’s the best example of me” pic.twitter.com/vR4CM7rgSi
— Avful Announcing (@avfulannouncing) February 6, 2026
Kendrick Perkins explains the Victor Wembanyama comparison as the rise of the Spurs
Perkins later clarified the comparison by pointing to Vembanyama’s willingness to defy conventional tendencies on the floor.
“When everyone else goes right, I usually go left. And that’s what he does.”
Vembanjama, 22, is in his third NBA season and delivered one of his most complete performances of the year against Dallas. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals while shooting 9-for-14 from the field, 5-for-9 from three-point range and 6-for-8 from the free throw line in 34 minutes.
The Spurs center continues to solidify San Antonio’s jump in the Western Conference standings. Through 37 games this season, including 28 starts, Vembanjama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. He’s also posting career highs, shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 29.1 minutes per contest.
San Antonio improved to 35-16 with a win and will return home on Saturday to host Dallas again. Tipoff is set for 18:00 ET on Prime Video as the Spurs look to extend their winning streak to four games.
2026-02-06 21:26:00
