Evan Mobley is confident in his future, and he’s not shying away from making a bold prediction. When asked who he believes will be the best player in the NBA five years from now, the Cleveland Cavaliers star kept his answer straightforward:
“Maybe me or Victor.”
It’s a confident statement from the 22-year-old big man, who is coming off his first NBA All-Star selection and continues to establish himself as one of the best defensive players in the league.
However, while Mobley’s rise has been steady, Victor Wembanyama’s trajectory is looking even more dominant. The San Antonio Spurs phenom is not just a rising star but a player many already believe will soon take over the NBA.
Wembanyama, just 21 years old, is in the midst of a spectacular sophomore campaign. Averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a staggering 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range, he is already a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Spurs might be struggling in the standings at 12th in the Western Conference, but Wemby’s individual brilliance is undeniable. His combination of size, mobility, defensive versatility, and shot-making ability makes him a generational prospect who could realistically be the face of the league by 2030.
Mobley, on the other hand, has made major strides in his own development. He is averaging 18.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season while shooting an impressive 56.9% from the field and 37.8% from deep.
His growth as a scorer and shooter has been a major reason why the Cavaliers are currently sitting as the first seed in the Eastern Conference. After earning an All-Defensive First Team selection in 2023, Mobley has continued to anchor one of the best defenses in the NBA. While he may not be in the MVP conversation yet, his trajectory suggests he will be one of the league’s elite players for years to come.
Still, as great as Mobley has been, his name isn’t often included in the discussion for future best player in the world. Players like Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Ja Morant are all considered ahead of him in terms of raw talent and superstar potential.
While Mobley is an excellent two-way player, he has yet to prove he can be a franchise’s number-one option in the way some of those other young stars already have.
For Wembanyama, the path to NBA dominance seems inevitable. His rare combination of elite defense, offensive versatility, and sky-high ceiling makes him the type of talent who could take over the league within the next few seasons. If he continues on his current trajectory, he could be battling for MVPs and championships well before 2030.
Mobley’s confidence is commendable, but if he truly wants to be in the “best player in the world” conversation in five years, he still has more to prove. While he’s an elite defensive anchor and a rising offensive force, he will need to elevate his scoring and leadership to compete with the likes of Wembanyama, Doncic, and Edwards for that title.
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