Hype Surrounding Victor Wembanyama Causing Fans, Pundits To Overlook Bol Bol's Talent

If you're a hoops fan, even the most casual one, then you've probably heard of a certain French teenager that is being projected as the No. 1 pick in next year's draft and potentially the NBA's next big star.

That towering teen is none other than Victor Wembanyama, the18-year-old wonder that's dominating social media timelines and basketball courts in France.

The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama has so much hype around him that the NBA's YouTube channel is already posting highlight videos of him, and he hasn't even been drafted yet.

It's easy to see why. Wembanyama is a big man that plays like a swingman, and he has a sweet-looking jumper that makes him a threat inside and out.

Wembanyama is currently playing for the Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A league, where he's averaging 23.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that he'll be playing in the NBA by this time next year, and the only question is what jersey he'll be wearing.

Teams like the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Hornets are some of the favorites to get the top pick in next year's draft and likely enlist Wembanyama's services.

With so much attention and anticipation focused on Wembanyama's eventual arrival into the NBA, it's easy to overlook one such player who was seemingly cut from the same cloth.

This player is a 7-foot-2 big who's athletic, can run the floor, and has a feathery touch from behind the 3-point line.

The best part is this player already has years of NBA experience.

This cage is none other than Bol Bol.

The son of the late NBA legend Manute Bol, Bol Bol was drafted back in 2019 by the Denver Nuggets but played sparingly in his first three seasons, averaging just 2.4 points in just over five minutes of playing time per game.

In February 2022, he was traded to the Magic and re-signed with the team in July, in preparation for the 2022-2023 season.

Bol is currently having a breakout season this year as he's putting up career-best numbers for the Magic, putting up 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 26 minutes per game—all career-high marks.

It's easy to argue that Bol is a good gauge of how Wembanyama would perform in the NBA.

Of course, Wembanyama could end up becoming a better contributor, or even a bigger star than Bol.

But to say that the NBA has never seen anyone like Victor Wembanyama is a bit unfair for Bol Bol.