SAN ANTONIO — From 2016-19, the San Antonio Spurs had in uniform one of the greatest foreign big men to ever grace the basketball hardwood: Pau Gasol.
The NBA veteran's best days may have been behind him, but he represented how big men in the future NBA would play.
At 7-1, he could stretch the floor, pass, score, defend, and demonstrate a high basketball IQ and a team-first mentality throughout his basketball career, making him a newly-minted Basketball Hall of Famer.
Fast forward to the 2023-24 season, and the Spurs find themselves boasting another overseas import with the makings of becoming the next international sensation, perhaps seeing his name in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with Gasol.
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama is taking the NBA by storm to start his pro career.
He is revolutionizing what a player his size (7-5) can do on both ends of the court.
His length causes havoc for opposing teams, not to mention his ability to score multiple ways, either in the paint, finding teammates for easy baskets, or scoring away from the basket.
And Wembanyama's incredible upside has caught Gasol's eye.
"He can impact it and take it to a different level," Gasol said. "It should be fun to watch and fun to follow."
To say expectations for Wembanyama to live up to the generational label are high is an understatement.
The 20-year-old is touted as the next face of the league, a basketball prodigy, and described as a "once-in-a-generation" player.
Gasol didn't have those lofty expectations coming into the NBA, but he knows all about high expectations.
He teamed up with Lakers icon Kobe Bryant in 2008 and was seen as the missing piece for Bryant and the Lakers to bring titles to the storied franchise.
He did his part in helping the Lakers win titles in 2009 and 2010.
And with a talent like Wembanyama in the league, Gasol likes what he sees from the 19-year-old.
"Big talent. High expectations. He looks really good," he said.
In his first NBA season, Wembanyama is turning heads with his abilities on the floor and drawing praise from other big men throughout the league.
"He's playing good basketball. He's a leader for San Antonio," Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas.
However, Gasol is aware of the road ahead for the Spurs rookie.
With high expectations to live up to the incredible hype surrounding him, Gasol is eager to see if he can live up to the massive hype.
"Now let's see. Now the road begins," he said.
The "Wemby era" is off to an incredible start.
Wembanyama has the potential to be the next face of the league and bring back excitement to the Spurs following a few lean years as the franchise began its rebuild.
In just his rookie season, Wemby is shattering records.
He became the second Spurs player in the last 40 years to record at least 15 points, five rebounds, and two steals in his NBA debut. He also became the second Spurs player in franchise history to have a 20-point, 10-rebound game within his first two career games. He is ranked in eight of the nine rookie categories, including the top spot for rookie scoring, blocks, and rebounds. His 3.5 blocks per game lead the NBA, and he currently posts 1.3 steals.
And that is just scratching the surface of his accomplishments this season, which include three straight Rookie of the Month Awards and a near quadruple-double against the Nuggets.
Everyone is excited about what Wembanyama will bring to basketball, including the Basketball Hall of Famer.
"I'm excited for Victor, the Spurs, the NBA, and the game," Gasol added.