Victor Wembanyama’s father was a triple jumper.

Wembanyama’s mother is a former basketball player who became a coach and helped teach the sport to a 7ft 4inch generational talent who would eventually be praised as an “alien” by LeBron James.

Victor Wembanyama has been destined to be a No. 1 player since his childhood

Victor Wembanyama has been destined to be a No. 1 player since his childhood

And after a New Year’s Day dunk on the Boston Celtics went viral, the San Antonio Spurs’ latest franchise-changing No. 1 overall pick was on the verge of having the most-watched Instagram video in NBA history.

But what really makes Wemby so special?

How has the Spurs rookie from Le Chesnay, France — one hour from Paris — already become so big in the NBA, scoring 38 points in just his fifth game and drawing huge praise from Kevin Durant and The King?

Start with his height, which has Wembanyama standing next to Rockets veteran big man Boban Marjanovic while only weighing 210 pounds.

Then check out the stunning 8ft wingspan that allows Wemby to float freely from the paint to the perimeter and back, barely having to jump to dunk a basketball and blocking shots with surreal ease.

Fast-break slams, top-of-the-key 3-pointers, touch passes in the paint, pick-and-pop jumpers and soft floaters in the lane.

Wemby can already do it all, thanks to his young professional seasoning overseas and the alien-like combination of height, wingspan and pure talent that allowed him to score 38 points on 15-of-26 shooting, grab 10 rebounds, dish out two assists, record two blocks and collect a steal against Durant’s Phoenix Suns.

“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, well, he’s more like an alien,” James said in 2022. “I’ve never seen — no one’s ever seen — anyone as tall as he is, but it’s fluid and as graceful as on the floor.”

LeBron James was ahead of the curve in recognizing Wemby's special talent

LeBron James was ahead of the curve in recognizing Wemby’s special talent

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama shows off stunning flexibility in latest TikTok video

Historic numbers

James predicted Wembanyama’s generational impact and could only smile when the duo met on the hardwood in February.

“Hopefully he continues to stay healthy, that’s the most important for him personally,” the NBA’s all-time leading scorer said. “As you could tell, he loves the game. He was smiling a lot while playing the game.”

Everyone from Dirk Nowitzki and Giannis Antetokounmpo to Kristaps Porzingis and Durant have influenced Wembanyama’s game.

“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Antetokounmpo said. “Can score any time he wants. Plays the right way. Plays to win. It was great playing against him.”

Through his first 53 games, Wembanyama averaged 20.6 points with 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 31.7 percent on 3-pointers.

He’s only improved as the 2023-24 season has played out, shrugging off San Antonio’s 11-48 record to keep making history.

“I’m a competitor, so I want to go at everyone and be the bad guy on the court,” Wembanyama said.

There was a time when big men were forced to play inside the painted area and only crossed the 3-point line when offense was transitioning to defense.

If Wemby had arrived in the 1980s, there’s a chance that he would’ve played a different sport entirely or failed to find a place in the NBA.

Stretching the hardwood

In 2023, 3s are worth more than 2s, the court is more open than ever, and The Association has embraced Wembanyama’s incredibly diverse attack with open arms.

Then there’s the fact that Wemby plays the game with joy.

The French rookie shoots, sprints, passes and defends like hustle is still in style and he has everything to prove to the basketball world.

“His enthusiasm for the game — you can tell that through the TV and playing against him,” Durant said. ”He’s his own player, own person. He’s going to create his own lane and is much different than anyone else who has played.”

An athletic family helped shape Wembanyama.

He’s humble, worldly and self aware off the hardwood, recognizing his unique place and clear championship potential.

But Wemby is not Wemby without his height and wingspan.

He blocks a shot, races down the court and slams home a basketball.

He flashes in the paint, calls for the ball like a 1980s center, then easily lays it in while barely lifting his feet off the floor.

There are alley-oop dunks, smooth passes and knock-down 3s that display supreme NBA confidence.

Wembanyama has exceeded his huge hype and kept improving as a rookie

Wembanyama has exceeded his huge hype and kept improving as a rookie

The next great one

Wembanyama has already had several “Welcome to the NBA” moments.

After beating Durant twice, the Spurs were blown out 152-111 by the Indiana Pacers on November 7, and the young Frenchman was held to 3-of-12 shooting in an embarrassing 41-point defeat.

San Antonio entered March last in the Western Conference, already staring at the 2024 NBA Draft and hoping to add more talent around the expected Rookie of the Year.

But Wembanyama is a basketball unicorn who doubles as an alien.

If the Spurs rookie keeps dominating the hardwood like this, the NBA will have found its replacement for The King.