The Next Face of the League

It has become very difficult to ignore the fact that the players I grew up watching are nearing the end of their careers. LeBron James, the GOAT of our generation, is now nearing the age of 40 and his retirement. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Russel Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving have all entered the final stages of their storied careers; some have more time left than others. These star players all had a hand in defining the game of basketball for an entire generation, none more than the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry. It is not disputed that those two rivals have been the faces of the league for the past decade, and LeBron stretches his reign back further into the 2000s. However, Father Time remains undefeated. As these basketball legends fade out of their primes, the NBA is left with a massive question: who will be recognized as the next face of the league and carry the NBA into its next era?

Fortunately, an exciting and diverse new generation of players has begun to prove itself as ready to take over the organization. Anthony Edwards, with his explosive athleticism, trash talk, and big-time playoff performances, is quickly becoming a fan favorite. He led Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and took the Timberwolves deep into the 2024 playoffs, showing he's built for the spotlight. Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who quietly became one of the most efficient and consistent scorers in the league. He was named to the All-NBA First Team and led the Thunder to a top seed in the West, all while keeping a calm and confident aura on the court. Another player turning heads is Victor Wembanyama, the 7'3" rookie (that’s what he’s listed at, but I think he’s at least 7’5”) from France, who’s already changing how we think about basketball. In his first year, he won Rookie of the Year and made an All-Defensive team: something that almost never happens. His ability to block shots, shoot threes, and handle the ball at his size is something the NBA has literally never seen before. These young stars aren’t just good: they're exciting, different, and already showing signs of greatness.

When thinking about who the next face of the league will be, it’s hard not to pick Victor Wembanyama. He’s not just a great player, he’s something we’ve never seen. His mix of size, skill, and confidence is almost unfair, and he's only going to get better. What makes Wemby even more of a perfect fit for the role is how much attention he brings to the game. He attracts attention from fans all over the globe and has completely taken over basketball social media. While guys like Edwards and Shai are definitely going to be major stars, Wembanyama feels like the kind of player who can define a whole era, kind of like how LeBron did. If he keeps this up, it won’t be long before we all agree that the league officially belongs to Wemby.