Joel Embiid reveals when he started following Victor Wembanyama / News - Basketnews.com

Joel Embiid says he first started following Victor Wembanyama after his performance against Rudy Gobert.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports, AFP-Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports, AFP-Scanpix

It could be a battle between the potential NBA Rookie of the Year and MVP on Monday when San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama clashes with Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid.

Victor Wembanyama

Team:San Antonio SpursPosition:CAge:20Height:224 cmWeight:104 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

Before the duel, Embiid did not hold back praise for Wemby, who is averaging 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks while shooting 46.2% from the field.

"I don't think he thinks he's a center," Embiid said of Wembanyama, via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire. "I think he thinks he's a basketball player, which is honestly that's the way I think, too. I think I'm a basketball player. I don't think stuck, you know, whatever point guard, forward, center. I don't see myself as playing one position, but he has the potential to accomplish a lot of great things."

Wembanyama is often referred to as a basketball unicorn due to his unique combination of size and skills.

"Obviously, a man that size being able to move the way he does," Embiid admired. "Whether it's his shooting ability, defensively, just his presence, I think it's huge. Like I said, I think he has a lot of potential and, you know, and he's gotta keep on building."

Embiid's interest in Wembanyama sparked when the young talent showcased his prowess against fellow countryman Rudy Gobert, finishing the Nov. 11 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

"The first time I really saw him and paid attention to him was when he played one-on-one against, it wasn't really one one-on-one, but he was playing against Rudy," Embiid recalled. "So that was really saw him, and you just look at his size, and the way he was going with ease on Rudy was good. That's when I started kind of following him."

Fans can catch the clash between the Sixers and the Spurs at 7 p.m. EST on Monday in Philadelphia.

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