A jaw-dropping stat puts the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama in rare air as a rookie

After a strong start to his rookie season, it's clear that San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama has superstar potential. He has certainly proved it with a sizzling stretch over his last seven games, averaging 20.6 points, 4.3 blocks, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in just 24.6 minutes per game. Once his recent minutes restriction is lifted, he could put up truly historic numbers now that he has begun to find his groove.

In fact, he already is. Just 31 games into his career, he already has 10 games with at least 20 points and 4 blocks, something that players such as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Alonzo Mourning have done as rookies. Being in the same air as four Hall of Famers this early in his career suggests that he could be on the same track by also being a force on both ends of the floor.

What Wembanyama's historic play says about his future in the NBA.

Wembanyama is currently leading the league with 3.3 blocks per game while also chipping in 1.2 steals. 4.5 stocks per game while averaging fewer than 30 minutes is outrageous and proves that he can be a dominant defensive player. Teams are learning not to challenge him in the paint when he's in the game, and once he starts playing big minutes, that could prove to be a huge advantage for the Spurs.

Coach Gregg Popovich is known as a defensive coach and having someone who can shut down the rim is a game-changer. Historically, the Spurs have sought to force teams to score in the half-court by limiting turnovers and thus transition baskets. In the halfcourt, he emphasized not fouling and dared teams to try to beat them with jump shots.

With the increase in 3-point shooting around the NBA, that is far easier now but with Wembanyama, other Spurs can stay at home knowing that he can shut down any drive, dramatically limiting the opposing team's drive and kick game. Offensively, Wembanyama has made significant strides this season, scoring in the post despite his teammates struggling to get him the ball.

They have gotten better in recent games but once they become more consistent or the supporting cast improves, he could get five or six more high-percentage shots per game, especially now that Popovich is starting Trey Jones. Jones is the best passer on the Spurs and we can now get an idea of how deadly Wembanyama can be in the pick-and-roll. If he manages to stay healthy, it's not out of the question that he could eventually be a big-time scorer while also being a Defensive Player of the Year.

That might sound unrealistic, but the flashes he's shown thus far suggest that he can be a combination of Kevin Durant in terms of shooting and Giannis Antetounkmpo in terms of his ability to finish around the rim.

Defensively, both players use their length and size well and so does Wembanyama, though his shot-blocking ability goes far beyond his being just 7'4 with an 8'0 wingspan. Ultimately, Wembanyama is already surpassing expectations and looking like he is a surefire superstar.