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Twenty-year-old Congolese-French basketball player Victor Wembanyama, dubbed a generational talent, is on track to make history as the first player to amass a staggering $1-billion in on-court earnings, according to a recent report by Bloomberg.
Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 NBA rookie sensation with an eight-foot wingspan, has taken the league by storm since joining the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. His first contract, a four-year $55.2-million rookie deal, solidified his entry into the NBA, making him one of the most promising prospects of his generation.
Wembanyama’s historic earnings unfold: Projected to surpass $1 billion mark by age 33
The current projections, based on the NBA’s contract limits, suggest that Wembanyama could accumulate more than $1 billion by the age of 33. His rookie contract with the Spurs, set to conclude at the end of the 2026/27 season, will see him earn a staggering $12.16 million by the conclusion of the current NBA season.
Under the terms of his current contract, Wembanyama is poised to earn $12.77 million in the 2024-25 season, $13.38 million in the 2025-26, and an impressive $16.87 million in the final season of his rookie deal. Bloomberg’s report further indicates that a potential five-year rookie max extension deal could bring his earnings to a remarkable $316 million.
Bloomberg projections envision a supermax contract launching career earnings beyond $900 million
Bloomberg’s projections also explore the possibility of Wembanyama securing a supermax contract, potentially worth $529 million over five years. This could propel his career earnings to just over $900 million, with the potential for a second supermax deal pushing him past the billion-dollar milestone.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Wembanyama expressed his thoughts on the unprecedented financial trajectory of his career. “It’s not something I’ve thought about before. It widens the range of possibilities and impact I can have,” he stated.
Contrasting approach: Wembanyama prefers meaningful deals to megadeals, aims to redefine success
The financial ascent of Wembanyama presents a stark contrast to the career earnings of LeBron James, the NBA’s highest-paid player ever. Despite LeBron’s impressive $479 million from basketball contracts, Wembanyama’s projected trajectory could reshape the landscape of earnings in professional basketball.
Wembanyama, known to fans as “Wemby,” has signaled a departure from the conventional approach to contract negotiations. Preferring smaller, meaningful deals aligned with his personal values, he stated, “I would rather do nothing than to do something meaningless.”
As the basketball world watches with bated breath, Wembanyama’s journey has the potential to redefine success in the NBA, transcending mere athletic prowess to set a new standard for financial accomplishment in the sport.
