“Not Blocking a Jumpshot From Him”: Tyrese Haliburton Gets Brutally Honest About His First Match-Up Against Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama is an NBA superstar in the making. During the draft this summer, he transitioned smoothly into the NBA as the Spurs‘ number-one pick. At just 19, the Frenchman has already amassed a huge fanbase. When he entered the league, the expectations and pressure were through the roof, but Wemby handled it like a champ, and now he has locked his target on the Rookie of the Year.

Wemby is already leading the Spurs charts in points, rebounds, and blocks. If anything, it is his physical build that gives him an edge over the opponents. However, the 7’4″ prodigy does not only rely on his height; he has the agility, skill, and coordination to dominate both ends of the court. The Pacers‘ Tyrese Haliburton has gotten a taste of the rookie this season and shares his encounter with being on the same court as him.

Just how hard is it to block a jump shot from Wemby?

In the first game that the Spurs and the Pacers played this season, the Spurs had a tough 152-111 loss. However, Tyrese, having played against Wemby, has a tough takeaway from the game. According to him, Wemby does some ridiculous things on the court where sometimes a defender can’t do anything but get out of the way when he takes his shots. “What’re you supposed to do?” is the question that comes to mind when trying to defend Wemby, as Tyrese shares in a special interview with The Old Man & the Three podcast.

The common consensus according to Tyrese is, “You’re Not Blocking a Jumpshot From him [Wemby].” His crazy wingspan allows him to position himself several feet away from opponents. He has the highest release point among high-volume jump shooters in the league, and this makes it almost impossible to block his shots. Despite this, Tyrese adds that Wemby still has a long way to go and he will only get better as the season progresses.

Wemby currently fouls a lot

Tyrese is clinical in his observation of Wemby and admits that he fouls a lot right now, but the more he plays, he will get a hang of it and get better. “He’s learning right now and understanding the nuances,” Tyrese says. In fact, Tyrese is certain that, “later in the season, he’s gonna be a completely different player, playing at a higher level, so I’m excited to see that.”

Offensively, Wemby is a huge threat. However, he is a monster defender as well. When he is on the court, the Spurs’ defense noticeably improves. There is nothing this young man cannot do, he is dangerous on both ends. If a career-ending injury does not hinder him, there is nothing that can potentially stop him from becoming one of the GOATs.