Media personality LaVar Ball has told former basketball star Dwight Howard that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama should avoid gaining significant muscle and instead protect his unique playing style in the NBA.
Speaking on The LaVar Ball Show, the father of Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball responded to ongoing debates about the physical frame of the French international. Wembanyama currently stands at 2.26 metres and weighs around 107 kilograms.
Ball argued that adding weight would only benefit Wembanyama if he could maintain his current ability to run and move freely around the court. He said that a heavier frame could cost the young player his primary physical advantage. He added that Wembanyama can eat and gain weight if he chooses, but staying lighter might help him avoid injuries because he is not carrying as much mass on his joints.
Wembanyama entered the NBA as the most highly anticipated draft prospect in a generation when the San Antonio Spurs selected him with the first overall pick in 2023. Prior to his arrival in the United States, he played professionally in France, where his unprecedented combination of size and ball handling skills made him a global sensation. His slender build has constantly drawn questions from analysts and former players, who wonder how he can withstand the physical punishment of playing near the basket against much heavier opponents over a long professional career.
Addressing Howard directly during the podcast, Ball noted the sharp contrast between the two players. Howard built a dominant career on immense upper body strength, establishing himself as a traditional center who overpowered opponents in the restricted area to win an NBA championship and multiple defensive player of the year awards. Ball told Howard that Wembanyama does not need to play that way, saying the Frenchman does not need to go down low, spin and force his way to the basket.
Unconventional style
Instead, Ball explained that Wembanyama can face the hoop and use a Euro step to cover nine metres of court space. He pointed out that the Spurs star shoots three point shots, is highly agile, and has enough wingspan to block shots without needing to use his body to absorb physical contact.
The French center possesses an unusual combination of guard skills and immense height. Unlike traditional big men who operate exclusively near the basket, Wembanyama regularly brings the ball up the court at speed, creates his own shot from the perimeter, and defends the rim with his reach rather than his bulk. This allows him to stretch opposing defenses and create scoring opportunities from all over the court.
Ball argued that forcing the Frenchman to play constantly with his back to the basket would waste the rare abilities that few players of his height possess. He believes this versatile skill set allows Wembanyama to have a massive impact on the game without relying on physical duels in the paint.
To illustrate his point, Ball compared the situation to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. He said the Serbian star dominates the league despite not fitting typical NBA physical standards. Jokic is widely recognised for his elite passing and high basketball intelligence rather than his leaping ability or foot speed. Ball suggested that Jokic succeeds because he developed his own distinct style, rather than trying to reproduce the physical game of other centers.
Spurs target championship
The debate over the physical development of Wembanyama comes after a highly successful third year in the league. The center led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals during the 2025 to 2026 season, marking the first time in his career that he reached the championship series. The Texas franchise ultimately lost the title to the New York Knicks.
Wembanyama has also continued to impress on the international stage during the offseason. During a recent basketball World Cup qualifying match for France, he anchored the national team in a victory over Sweden. He scored 18 points on highly efficient shooting, making six of his seven attempts, while also recording eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
The San Antonio Spurs have a rich history of building championship teams around elite big men. The franchise won multiple NBA titles in previous decades with Hall of Fame centers David Robinson and Tim Duncan, who both possessed more traditional physiques for the position. The current roster is now attempting to build a new dynasty around their unconventional French star, aiming to bring another championship parade to San Antonio.
Teams are currently preparing for the new campaign, with the NBA preseason scheduled to begin on October 3. Oddsmakers in Las Vegas currently project the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder as the leading candidates to win the championship next season.
