Sports
Victor Wembanyama’s ‘greatest of all time’ trajectory is officially ahead of schedule
As Victor Wembanyama waited to learn the identity of his eventual NBA team ahead of the 2023 Draft, Adrian Wojnarowski shared a somewhat startling sentiment bubbling among teams hoping to secure the greatest prospect in basketball history during ESPN’s broadcast of the lottery.
“A number of executives who are in the room tonight, who are waiting on those bouncing balls in the lottery, they tell me that they believe Wembanyama could be the best player in the NBA on both the offensive and defensive ends by his third season in the league,” Wojnarowski said.
That simply does not happen, at least not under modern circumstances. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the MVP and a champion by his second NBA season, but he played a full collegiate career. Magic Johnson won Finals MVP as a rookie, but Abdul-Jabbar was by his side for all but the clinching game of the Finals and would remain the superior player for several years. LeBron James reached the NBA Finals in his fourth season, but got swatted away by a more experienced San Antonio Spurs team and wouldn’t return until his eighth season.
These words were spoken about Wembanyama mere months after his 19th birthday. He had no NBA experience. He didn’t come up through the traditional American collegiate system. He was more accomplished in Europe, winning the French MVP award in 2023, but he barely played in the EuroLeague. Luka Dončić won the EuroLeague MVP award at 19. Wembanyama averaged 6.5 points in 17.5 minutes against Europe’s best competition. It didn’t matter. His future was obvious to anyone who’d ever bounced a ball. He was going to be the best basketball player in the world. Health permitting, he might genuinely be the best basketball player who’s ever lived.
We usually don’t start with those conversations. Michael Jordan didn’t truly throw his name into the “GOAT” ring until his first three-peat. James was compared to him from the moment he arrived in the NBA, but he’s said himself that his 2016 championship over the 73-win Golden State Warriors was the moment, in his mind, when it really happened. That came in his 13th season.
2026 NBA Finals schedule: Knicks vs. Spurs odds, dates, game times
Sam Quinn 
But Wojnarowski’s prophecy came true. It’s Wembanyama’s third season, and he’s already claimed “best in the league” status. He and the Spurs just knocked off two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals on the road in Game 7 on Saturday night. Gilgeous-Alexander was burdened with injuries to his secondary shot-creators, Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams, but Wembanyama was playing with two of his best teammates, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, also hobbled.
In the regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 5.4 shot attempts in the restricted area per game. In the first six games of the Western Conference Finals, that number was nearly cut in half, down to three. Without the rim, the MVP was mortal. He shot 32.1% in the non-restricted portion of the paint, 38.3% in mid-range and 26.1% on 3s. When he didn’t draw fouls, he just didn’t have an efficient means of attacking San Antonio’s Wembanyama-led defense. This is Wembanyama’s competition, and he erased him.
It usually takes a few tries to reach this point. Jordan lost to the Bad Boy Pistons three times. James lost to the Boston Celtics twice and got pushed to the brink against them in 2012. There’s a certain rhythm to these things. A young star ascends, loses a few times to the incumbent heavyweights and then finally gets over the top. There wasn’t even really a climb here. The Spurs faced the Thunder in five regular-season games and won four. They beat them in their first postseason matchup. Maybe Wembanyama is just so big that he could pull himself up the mountaintop from a standing start.
The Thunder aren’t going anywhere. They’ll presumably be among Wembanyama’s biggest threats moving forward. They’ll probably be healthier if there’s a rematch next season, and both sides are loaded with enough assets to improve on the trade market if they decide it’s necessary. The rivalry isn’t over.
But this is probably the worst Wembanyama’s ever going to be. He’s not close to his peak yet. One of the stories of the season was how effectively Oklahoma City’s defense kept Wembanyama away from the rim. He had 23 paint touches in Game 1, according to NBA.com tracking data. Then he had 33 in Games 2-6 combined. He still can’t quite assert his position near the rim as well as he’ll be able to in a few years, and his young guards will get better at entering the ball into him. He’s not going to completely bulk up, but he’ll probably add some muscle to better handle Oklahoma City’s physicality. His post-game is still developing. He worked with Hakeem Olajuwon last offseason. Odds are, he’ll check in with other legends in the summers to come. He’s still getting better.
He has a ways to go before he reaches those loftier ambitions. He’s not even a champion yet, and the New York Knicks pose a very real threat to his coronation. They beat the Spurs twice during the regular season, including the NBA Cup final, and that was before New York’s magical run through the Eastern Conference. He might still lose. He might face the same stumbles that Jordan and James did during their respective rises to power.
But the basketball world looked at Wembanyama before he’d even arrived in the NBA and reasoned that he would probably be the best player in the league by his third season. That theory, outlandish as it probably seemed to some in the moment, came to pass. And with that being the case, we probably can’t dismiss any other outlandish beliefs surrounding his future.
Who cares that he’s only played three years? We’re all watching him and thinking the same thing. There’s never been anyone like him before. Nobody has ever had his combination of size, skill and demeanor. He’s capable of things on a basketball court that no other human being ever has been.
It will take years for his resume to compare to Jordan’s or James’, but he’s ahead of where they were at this stage of their careers. If this goes the way we think it’s going to go, he’s going to be the greatest player in NBA history.
Sports
IND vs AFG LIVE Score, 1st ODI: Shubman Gill Scripts Huge Record As India Ease Past Afghanistan By 7 Wickets
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem Safi, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
Sports
How Canada Earned a Historic Draw Against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, earning the country’s first point in World Cup history.
The co-hosts started brightly in front of their home fans at BMO Field and looked determined to make a strong statement in their opening Group B match. However, Bosnia took the lead against the run of play when Jovo Lukic headed home from a corner kick in the first half.
Despite falling behind, Canada continued to push forward and created several chances. Their efforts were finally rewarded late in the second half when substitute Cyle Larin produced a brilliant finish to level the score.
Larin made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring just over two minutes after entering the game. His goal sparked wild celebrations among the Canadian supporters and secured a valuable point for Jesse Marsch’s side.
The match was closely contested, with both teams creating opportunities. Canada enjoyed more possession and had slightly more shots on target, while Bosnia remained dangerous whenever they attacked.
Canada midfielder Ismael Kone was one of the standout performers. He controlled the midfield, completed the most passes in the match and was named Player of the Match.
The result leaves Canada in a strong position in Group B. They will next face Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday, knowing that a victory could move them closer to a place in the knockout stages.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will take on Switzerland in their next group match in California. The draw extended Bosnia’s unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.
For Canada, the result marked another important step in the country’s football development. After losing all six matches in their previous World Cup appearances, the Canadians finally have a point on the world stage and will now look to build on that achievement in front of their home supporters.
Sports
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Sports
The P/PTSD Perspective: Explosive WR, KOC Slip, and Felton at a Crossroad
PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.
The P/PTSD Perspective: June 13th, 2026
1) The Vikings Have “Most Explosive” Player Since 2021: As it turns out, Justin Jefferson isn’t too bad at playing football. Imagine how good he could still become if he had a consistently strong passer putting in work under center.
2) Vikings’ Former Rival Calls Out Kevin O’Connell “Slip Up:” Everything is being subject to intense scrutiny. Quite possibly, this is merely a matter of a human being a human, saying something casual and not meaning anything too much by the quick blip. Let the offseason competition play out.
3) WR Tai Felton Could be at a Crossroads: Give the kid a chance. He’s still very young, adjusting to the NFL as a late-3rd who was a menace on specials but modest on offense. His speed really pops when seeing him live. Again, give him a chance.
4) The J.J. McCarthy Trade Scenario: Very small chance he gets traded, folks. In fact, I’m of the opinion that he makes more starts than Kyler Murray in the upcoming season. That’s a minority opinion, but that’s where I’m at. Expect the kid QB to be in Minnesota for 2026 and into 2027 as a minimum.
5) The 2 New Vikings Corners Offer Size and Snarl: Lots to like in those two new corners. Each are long and speedy, setting them up to shine along the outside. Mr. Pierre, in particular, appears ready to take on a beefy workload in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Mr. Demmings should be soaking up wisdom to someday takeover.
Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.
Sports
Rohit Sharma scripts history, becomes only the second Indian opener to… | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma added another remarkable chapter to his glittering career on Saturday, becoming only the second Indian opener after Virender Sehwag to score 16,000 international runs across formats.The landmark came during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala, with the veteran batter needing just six runs to enter the exclusive club. Rohit reached the milestone in his 384th innings for India, having accumulated 15,994 runs as an opener before the start of the game.The achievement places the former India captain among some of the greatest openers in cricket history. Overall, Rohit became only the seventh batter to cross the 16,000-run mark as an opener in international cricket.Joining an elite group of opening greatsRohit now stands alongside legendary names such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, David Warner, Graeme Smith, Desmond Haynes and Sehwag. Sri Lankan great Jayasuriya tops the chart with 19,298 runs, followed by Gayle (18,867) and Warner (18,744).Sehwag remains India’s most prolific opener with 16,119 runs in 400 innings across 332 matches. Rohit’s milestone is all the more remarkable considering that batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, despite scoring over 34,000 international runs overall, amassed 15,335 runs as an opener and narrowly missed the 16,000-run club.Before the Afghanistan ODI, Rohit had scored 11,577 runs in 282 ODIs, 4,301 runs in 67 Tests and 4,231 runs in 159 T20Is, the latter two formats from which he has since retired.Another milestone falls in DharamsalaThe day brought another notable achievement for the former Indian captain. When Rohit reached three runs in the innings, he surpassed South African legend Jacques Kallis‘ ODI tally of 11,579 runs.Kallis accumulated his runs in 328 ODIs between 1996 and 2014, while Rohit moved past him in his 283rd one-day international. Rohit is now at 8th spot in the all-time list led by Tendulkar with 18,246 runs.Having already established himself as one of the most destructive white-ball batters of his generation, Rohit’s latest feat further cemented his place among the game’s all-time greats.Even after retiring from Tests and T20Is, the 39-year-old continues to scale new heights, with his consistency and longevity ensuring that records keep tumbling in Indian colours.
Sports
Russell takes pole ahead of Hamilton, Antonelli at Barcelona Grand Prix
MONTMELO, Spain — Mercedes driver George Russell claimed pole position ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on Saturday.
Formula 1 leader Kimi Antonelli will start from third in his Mercedes.
Antonelli is on an incredible five-race winning streak. That has let the 19-year-old Italian already tally up 156 points after just six races. A resurgent Hamilton is second in the standings with 90 points.
Russell is third with 88. He won the season-opening Australian GP only then to see Antonelli roar past him since then.
The Mercedes pair has taken all seven poles this season as the German team has emerged as the biggest benefactor of a rulebook overhaul.
Sports
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton to pole
George Russell bounced back from the disappointments of the past few races to take pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Russell edged out Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari by just 0.064 seconds as runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli could manage only third place in the other Mercedes.
McLaren’s Lando Norris took fourth from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, while Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc crashed on his first lap in the final session and will start 10th.
Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri was seventh, from Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg.
More to follow
Sports
This golfer went from beginner to single-digit handicap in 18 months
Sports
IND vs AFG: Outstanding! Shubman Gill takes one-handed blinder in 1st ODI – Watch | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Indian captain Shubman Gill produced a stunning moment in the rain-shortened first ODI between India and Afghanistan at Dharamshala, pulling off a one-handed screamer that lit up the match as India tightened their grip in a 25-over contest. The catch came at a crucial stage as Afghanistan were trying to recover after a chaotic middle phase, but Gill’s sharp reflexes ended another key breakthrough attempt in style.The dismissal happened in the 21.4 over when Harsh Dubey tossed one up just outside off. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar attempted a big shot, only to get a thick top edge that ballooned towards slip. Gill reacted instantly, diving to his left and sticking out one hand to complete a sensational grab, ensuring control as he rolled over on the ground. The batter was out for 0 off 2 balls, and India continued to chip away at the Afghan lower order.Watch:At the end, India bundled out the visitors for 194 in 24.5 overs.Gill reacted instantly, diving full stretch to his left and grabbing a one-handed stunner.Afghanistan had earlier been powered by a brilliant 102 off 51 balls from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who dominated the powerplay and middle overs with 8 fours and 8 sixes. However, once he fell at 142, the innings unravelled quickly. India’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Arshdeep Singh picked up two early wickets, while debutant Gurnoor Brar impressed with three scalps, including Rashid Khan and the final wicket of Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. Harsh Dubey also claimed three wickets, removing key batters Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Ghazanfar.Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed two wickets, while Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar supported the attack in a disciplined effort. Despite Gurbaz’s explosive century, Afghanistan collapsed from 142 for 3 to 194 all out, losing their last seven wickets for just 52 runs.
Sports
48-ball mayhem! Rahmanullah Gurbaz rewrites history with ton vs India | Cricket News
Rahmanullah Gurbaz rewrote the record books with a breathtaking 48-ball century against India in the rain-shortened first ODI at Dharamsala. The hundred was the fastest ever by an Afghanistan batter in ODI cricket, surpassing all previous Afghan records. It was also the quickest century of Gurbaz’s ODI career, his ninth overall in the format, and the fastest ODI hundred ever recorded in an India-Afghanistan encounter.Gurbaz eventually departed for a sensational 102 off 51 balls, an innings packed with power and aggression. He struck eight fours and eight sixes before Nitish Kumar Reddy ended his remarkable stay at the crease. The right-hander had already made headlines earlier in the innings when he raced to a half-century in just 25 balls. That effort became the second-fastest ODI fifty by an Afghanistan batter, behind only Mohammad Nabi’s 24-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2023. Mujeeb Ur Rahman‘s 26-ball fifty against Pakistan in Colombo completes the top three.Best conversion rate from 50s to 100s in ODIs56.25 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (9 hundreds)43.48 – Calum MacLeod (10 hundreds)42.86 – Daryl Mitchell (9 hundreds)41.82 – Quinton de Kock (23 hundreds)41.22 – Virat Kohli (54 hundreds)(min. 7 hundreds)Fastest ODI fifties for Afghanistan (by balls faced):24 balls – Mohammad Nabi vs Sri Lanka, Lahore, 202325 balls – Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs India, Dharamsala, 202626 balls – Mujeeb Ur Rahman vs Pakistan, Colombo, 2023Gurbaz’s fireworks also helped Afghanistan register only their second century partnership against India in ODI cricket. The previous three-figure stand came during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Delhi, when Azmatullah Omarzai and Hashmatullah Shahidi added 121 runs.His stunning innings came in a match that had already seen India hand ODI debuts to left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey and fast bowler Gurnoor Brar. With rain reducing the contest to 25 overs per side, Gurbaz made full use of the shortened format, taking the attack to the Indian bowlers from the outset and producing one of the most destructive innings by an Afghanistan batter against India.
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