Victor Wembanyama makes scary proposition surrounding his 3-point shooting

Victor Wembanyama had a roller-coaster ride with his 3-point efficiency during his Rookie of the Year award-winning campaign with the San Antonio Spurs. He shot under 28% in the first two months of his NBA career before hitting above 32% in January and February. Wembanyama was most efficient in March when he made 41.3% of his triples but eventually ended with 32.5% for the season.

Spurs insider Paul Garcia shared what the Frenchman’s expectations from long-range, notably his attempts and percentage, are in his second season:

“I think it’ll be about the same number, but better percentage for sure.”

Victor Wembanyama attempted 5.5 triples per game and converted 1.8 of his attempts for the season. Per Basketball Reference, the league average during the 2023-24 campaign was 36.6%. If “Wemby” hits that figure consistently, he will become an even bigger problem for opponents to solve.

Wembanyama’s 7-foot-4 frame, 8-foot wingspan, fluidity and skills are a combination never before seen in NBA history. He is already a tough matchup once he gets within 10 feet of the rim.

The Frenchman can get off a shot almost any way he wants to. He is also a good passer when opponents choose to send double or triple teams. If he becomes more efficient from deep as he vowed, the league will be in bigger trouble.

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Victor Wembanyama is already an excellent step-back 3-point shooter

Victor Wembanyama shot 32.5% from deep last season but was particularly deadly in one aspect of his 3-point shooting. The towering center shot a mind-boggling 46.2% in step-back 3s, the best among players with at least 50 such attempts. James Harden, the player who made the shot his trademark, was 36.8% last season.

Damian Lillard and Steph Curry, two of the NBA’s most lethal shooters, averaged 42.3% and 40.2% in step-back 3-pointers, respectively. Wembanyama converted 24 triples based on that move, six more than Joel Embiid, Lauri Markkanen, Kristaps Porzingis, Karl Anthony-Towns and Chet Holmgren made together.

Stopping Victor Wembanyama would become a much more difficult task if his overall 3-point shooting accuracy sniffs close to his step-back trifectas.