Victor Wembanyama receives high praise from Giannis Antetokounmpo

Victor Vembanyama enjoyed a great night at San Antonio Spurs victory against Milwaukee Bucks. The love he got from Giannis Antetokounmpo right after their first meeting of the year could be more impressive.

ClutchPoints asked the two-time NBA MVP and 2021 Finals MVP how the young star compares to version Antetokounmpo saw last season.

“He’s definitely a much better player,” said the Greek Freak. “Not only since the first year, since the last year when we faced him he is, in my opinion, much better.”

More than a minute later, Antetokounmpo finished his response to ClutchPoints with the ultimate praise for the 22-year-old generational talent.

“I believe as long as he’s healthy, he’s the future of this league and the sky’s the limit.”

“As long as he’s healthy, he’s the future of this league.”
the sky is the limit”

-talked to Giannis Antetokounmpo about it #VictorVembaniama

Complete thought⬇

Giannis added later
“He’s going to be the last nightmare. And hopefully I’ll be out of the league, retired.”#GoSpursGo #PorVida pic.twitter.com/LLvsoZmBa1

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) January 16, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo describes Victor Wembanyama’s rapid improvement

San Antonio’s 119-101 win against Milwaukee came two weeks short of a full calendar year since their last meeting. Wemby shone in the Bucks match with 144-118 On January 31, 2025, he recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in 31 minutes.

“One thing I noticed (was) last year he shot, like, nine or 10 3-pointers a game, right?” Antetokounmpo wondered about ClutchPoints. “And this year it shoots, four, five, so what does that mean?” The 2021 NBA champion asked a question to which he had an answer.

“That means he’s trying to get to his spot more. He’s trying to make it easier for his teammates; he’s getting the ball closer to the basket, he’s trying to get into the paint because he’s 7-5. He’s pretty unguarded. So the only way you can guard a player like that, you’ve just got to be physical and try to push him out of the spot.”

As for Antetokounmpo, Wembanyama attempted 11 3-pointers in January last year. He took six treys on his way to 22 points, ten rebounds and two blocks in just 22 minutes this last time out.

“At the end of the day, I feel like the moment he’s able to keep growing, growing his game and growing as a player and just getting older, he’s going to try to figure out his place and, no matter the test, he’s always going to have answers. He’s just got to put his head down, work and just lead this team to win,” the 31-year-old Clu veteran continued.

“I had a chance to talk to him a bit after the game.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t revealed what he said to his 7-foot counterpart, but he has no doubt about the feeling.

“I think at some point he’s going to be at what they say is his ultimate level,” the nine-time All-NBA big man said of the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year.

“And then he’s going to be a nightmare. And hopefully when that happens, I’ll be out of the league, retired. Because I’m a competitor, I like to play against the best, and I’d like to see that final phase and face that final phase before I get old, because you want to have it on your resume. You want to play against the best.”

Quite a lot of praise from a player who is already considered among the top 20-25 players in NBA history.