D’Angelo Russell isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and his latest comments on Victor Wembanyama might be his boldest take yet. During an episode of his “Backyard Podcast,” Russell went all-in on the 7-foot-4 French phenom, calling him his GOAT and even suggesting that one day, the NBA might change its iconic logo to honor him.
“Victor Wembanyama. He’s not Michael, he’s slick. I’m telling you all now, I’m putting this on air. I gave him his flowers last time… This is a big statement. If they ever change the logo, it might be him or Kobe.”
“They might change the logo to Wemby.”
It’s a jaw-dropping statement, especially considering the names that never got the honor: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James among them.
The current NBA logo, which is modeled after Jerry West, has been in place since 1969. While there have been sporadic calls to change it, particularly after Kobe’s passing in 2020, the league has never seriously considered a redesign.
Yet here’s Russell, confidently predicting that Wembanyama might eventually become the face of the entire league.
While many might brush off the claim as hyperbole, it’s not hard to understand why Russell is so enamored. Wembanyama has done things in just two NBA seasons that defy logic.
After winning Rookie of the Year in dominant fashion, Wemby followed it up with a historic sophomore campaign: 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a jaw-dropping 3.8 blocks per game.
He altered games with his presence alone and was widely viewed as the most impactful defensive player in basketball before a blood clot in his right shoulder prematurely ended his season.
What makes Wembanyama so compelling is how far he still is from his ceiling. His offensive game is still evolving, but even now, he’s knocking down threes, handling the ball like a guard, and orchestrating plays in transition.
Defensively, he already has a case for being the best shot-blocker since peak Hakeem Olajuwon. If his body holds up, Wemby isn’t just tracking to be a generational player, he may redefine what’s possible at his position.
Still, talk of changing the logo is premature. The logo, designed by Alan Siegel over five decades ago, has become one of the most recognizable symbols in sports. It wasn’t even officially tied to Jerry West for years, despite the silhouette being based on his image.
The NBA has shown no interest in making such a change, even for more accomplished legends.
But that’s the beauty of what Russell said. It’s not just a hot take, it’s a vision. A prediction that Wembanyama’s greatness may one day be so undeniable that even the unthinkable becomes reality.
Whether that happens or not, one thing is certain: D’Angelo Russell sees something special in Wemby. And if the Spurs star continues on his current trajectory, he won’t just be chasing greatness, he’ll be carving out a legacy so big that even the NBA’s logo won’t feel out of reach.
