Victor Wembanyama was inches away from converting a massive poster dunk against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, as he absorbed contact from Marvin Bagley III while driving to the basket.
The San Antonio Spurs' rookie was whistled for a charge on the play, and although Wembanyama didn’t get the highlight-reel dunk he was after, the moment resulted in a jaw-dropping photo.
Wembanyama’s otherworldly height was perfectly captured in the image, taken by Stephen Gosling of Getty Images, as the Frenchman towered over Bagley, who was falling to the floor after taking a charge.
Bagley measures in at 6’10”, but he was dwarfed by the 7’4” Wembanyama, who was at full extension as he reached for the rim in the photo.
This picture of Victor Wembanyama finishing over 6'10" Marvin Bagley III is mind-boggling ???????? pic.twitter.com/lOire3m3hR
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 21, 2024
The 20-year-old had his head level with the rim as he took off and attempted to put Bagley on a poster. Although Wembanyama wasn’t able to flush home a dunk, he still got the ball in the basket as he finished through the contact, though it didn’t count due to the offensive foul.
Probably the biggest crowd reaction to a charge I've seen in person.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) January 21, 2024
Even Wembanyama's charges are a spectacle/nice take by Bagley. pic.twitter.com/ubHVmBVwn9
Blocking the shot would’ve been practically impossible, given Wembanyama was holding the ball well above the rim, so Bagley wisely opted to take a charge.
Despite being whistled for a charge on the play, the moment resulted in a spectacular photo of the Spurs’ rookie, showcasing his supernatural height at full extension.
