Wemby, Drake Maye and the Battle for North America's Brightest Young Star

Victor Webanyama is taking over the NBA these playoffs, and we might be on the verge of seeing one of the greatest basketball prospects in history turn into the face of the sport for the next decade-plus.

But how does the San Antonio Spurs ace compare to the other young starlets across the major four sports in North America?

Wembanyama is undisputed on the basketball court, yet can he win against the best the NFL, NHL, and MLB have to offer?

Let’s break it down.

More news: Victor Wembanyama Is the Best Basketball Player in the World - Sorry SGA

NFL: vs. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

Although this could have been really interesting if we still considered Patrick Mahomes a young gun, the best comparison to Wembanyama right now would be the sophomore quarterback who was a single vote away from being named NFL MVP last season.

Maye is a surgical player and helped the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl, but this isn’t a fair contest. Pure star power, and their levels compared to peers at their position, give a clear win to the 7-foot-4 Frenchman.

Winner: Wemby

NHL: vs. Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)

If this were done a few months ago, the competition would be Connor Bedard, but Celebrini had a season for the ages by putting up 115 points in 82 games.

Celebrini is also doing this at 19, compared to old man Wembanyama, who just turned 22. While I’d give the Spurs player the edge in marketability, Celebrini is doing something special in the NHL and might have a chance to be the biggest star the sport has produced since Sidney Crosby.

A much closer fight between these two, but for now, Wembanyama will get the edge for making magic happen in the playoffs. But that will most likely change very soon for the Sharks and Celebrini. This will be an interesting one to look back on in a few years.

Winner: Wemby

MLB: vs. Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The heavyweight title fight. Paul Skenes, like Wembanyama, is a freak of nature and a prospect that maybe comes around once every 50 years in their respective sports.

Skenes seamlessly went from the best pitcher in college baseball to the best pitcher in the majors, winning the Cy Young award in his second-ever season.

Wembanyama hasn’t won MVP, but you could argue that his unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award, which has never been done, is comparable to the Cy Young win.

In a do-or-die game, both seem like players who rise to that ultimate moment. Alas, like Celebrini, Skenes still doesn’t have that standout playoff performance that has helped him raise his standing to a new stratosphere.

Winner: Wemby

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 9:50 PM.