Wembanyama 'really glad' LeBron compared him to an alien

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 19: Victor Wembanyama of the Metropolitans 92 attends the game between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons as part of NBA Paris Games 2023 on January 19, 2023 at Accor Arena in Paris, France. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE
Catherine Steenkeste / National Basketball Association / Getty

French phenom Victor Wembanyama is embracing the "alien" label that LeBron James bestowed on him.

James likened Wembanyama to an extraterrestrial being after watching him play in October, telling reporters, "Everybody's been a unicorn over the last few years, but he's more like an alien."

Wembanyama, who's widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, shared his thoughts on James' remarks in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

"First of all, I'm really glad he said that 'cause I didn't like to be called a unicorn," Wembanyama said. "I like it 'cause it's just something not from this world. I like being called an alien, yeah. It's really what I'm working to be - something unique and original."

The 7-foot-3 19-year-old is currently playing for the Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A league in France. He's averaging 22.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.1 blocks per game this season.

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