When Kevin Garnett speaks, the basketball world listens. And in a recent episode of his KG Certified podcast, the Hall of Famer didn’t hold back in his praise for San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
“He looks like KD and Shaq mixed together, my dog.”
Kevin Garnett on training Wemby over the summer:
“HE LOOKS LIKE SHAQ AND KD” pic.twitter.com/2G0cgeDdut
— 🏰 (@CastleFor3) October 21, 2025
It’s a bold statement, but one that might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
Garnett’s assessment wasn’t just about hype. It was about evolution.
“Victor is bringing a different level of guard slash small forward to the big man position,” he said. “He’s mixing finesse and force at the same time, or trying to.”
And that’s exactly what makes Wembanyama so mesmerizing. At 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan, he protects the rim like O’Neal but moves like Durant. He can block a shot, grab the rebound, dribble coast-to-coast, and pull up from three, all in one sequence.
Garnett also praised Wembanyama’s mindset, noting that the 21-year-old Frenchman isn’t content to be boxed in by stereotypes.
“He don’t want to be in that box of the French player, blah, blah, blah. He’s trying to break that whole narrative,” Garnett said. “It’s not about where you’re from anymore. It’s about what type of bag you got.”
That “bag” includes a silky jumper, elite footwork, and a defensive presence that’s already altering game plans across the league.
Now entering his third NBA season, Wembanyama has already made good on the hype that surrounded his arrival. With a new-look roster and rising expectations, Wembanyama is no longer just a prospect, he’s a problem.
For Garnett, who redefined the power forward position in his own era, Wembanyama represents the next evolutionary leap.
“He’s changing the way we look at the five position,” KG said. “He’s changing how we’re looking at the post position.”
