NBA legend Charles Barkley recently shared his thoughts on the concept of the "face of the league," asserting that such a title isn't bestowed but earned. He expressed his disagreement with those prematurely labeling San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama as such. Barkley believes that throughout NBA history, players like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry claimed this distinction through their performance and dominance, not by external pronouncements.

Wembanyama's promising rookie season was unfortunately cut short due to a blood clot in his shoulder. This injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024/25 season and raised concerns about his future. Before the injury, the young French player was averaging impressive numbers: 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game. He also achieved a unique statistical feat, becoming the first NBA player to record 403 three-point attempts and 176 blocks in a single season, a milestone he reached before the All-Star break.

The injury also impacted Wembanyama's eligibility for end-of-season awards due to the league's 65-game minimum requirement. Having played only 46 games, he fell short of the threshold despite being considered a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year.