While many see Victor Wembanyama as the future of the NBA, there are a few who are perplexed why that same chatter stopped for Bol Bol. Much was expected of him when the 7’6″ big came into the league in 2020. But the center failed to have the same impact in five seasons with three different teams that Wemby had for the San Antonio Spurs in just one season.
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Bol Bol and Wemby’s career trajectories differed right from the start. Wemby entered the NBA in 2023 as one of the highest-rated draft prospects ever. He was handed a starter’s spot from his first game and made good use of it, averaging 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks.
On the other hand, Bol Bol played his first three seasons under the shadow of Nikola Jokic at Denver. Things got better when he was traded to the Orlando Magic for the 2022-23 season, with his averages rising to 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. However, since signing with the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 offseason, things have slowed down again. Bol Bol still has supporters, though, who know why he is unable to fulfill his true potential.
While Shaquille O’Neal has been one of his ardent backers, Tim Hardaway Sr. also sees “the same athletic ability” in the South Sudanese player as Wemby. The five-time All-Star stated that Bol Bol just hasn’t been able to show what he’s truly capable of because of the lack of opportunity.
“I don’t know if it’s confidence. I don’t know if the team is not giving him confidence, if people are not giving him the ball, but I tell you this, I’m always in Bol Bol’s corner,” said Hardaway on Run It Back.
Regardless of the reason, Bol Bol’s ineffectiveness sent him to three different franchises in five years. Hardaway sees it differently though.
“I see the potential in him and what he can do. It’s just that I don’t think he has been able to get that right opportunity to go out there and prove himself like a Victor Wembanyama,” he added.
Bol Bo’s current role for the Suns is to assist scorers Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, and snag as many rebounds as possible. He’s by no means a demon in the post or on the defensive side of the ball.
That said, he did drop an incredible 25 points during the Suns’ 128-108 victory over the Pelicans last month. Dynamic performances like these entice legends to get in his corner.
Shaq once suggested that Wembanyama play more like Bol Bol
Tim Bug isn’t the only NBA legend who declared themselves team Bol Bol. Shaq sang the big man’s praises last year during a segment on NBA on TNT. The Diesel was giving feedback to Wemby, and suggested that the French superstar play a little bit more physical with smaller defenders the same way Bol Bol would.
“Forget the double-team,” Shaq stated at Wemby. “Just turn around like my good guy Bol Bol would do and shoot over the top.”
Shaq wasn’t done there. “I want to go at Reggie a bit. He’s never seen a guy like Wembanyama? Yes you have…his name is Bol Bol.”
Shaq’s fellow analysts were taken aback by his comparison. It was quickly attributed to Shaq’s ‘hatred’ for Wemby. However, O’Neal was just siding Bol Bol for he truly believes in the Suns star.
The Diesel explained that Wemby is “far more consistent,” but that Bol Bol does have the same build as the Spurs star. Now, ‘face of the league’ conversations might be too far of a stretch for Bol Bol at this point of his career. But with a frame similar to Wemby’s, the potential to be more than a spark plug off the bench is certainly present.
