“I’ll Pray For That Day”: Rudy Gobert Reveals Why Victor Wembanyama is Different From Anthony Edwards & Others

Image Credits: Imagn ©Image Credits: Imagn

Five and a half years after a casual pickup game, Victor Wembanyama’s rapid rise to the NBA stage does not surprise Rudy Gobert. He saw this potential and pressure handling firsthand during their 2024 Olympic run. Gobert believes Wemby’s intense curiosity sets him apart from other players, including teammate Anthony Edwards.

“Nothing really (surprising factor of Wembanyama’s growth). I’ve watched him a lot, I’ve watched him evolve,” said Gobert to the media. “I’ve watched him, the way he works, the way he takes care of himself. His thirst for knowledge. All the things he talks about. A few weeks ago, he asked me what kind of filter I had in my house for water. It just tells you how his mind is. I wish, I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they eat and stuff like that. But I don’t get those kind of questions.” The last part was a direct but hilarious dig at his Wolves teammates, who are not seeking mentorship. Which prompted the question about Ant’s behavior.

“Not yet (on Edwards asking questions on water filters). I’ll pray for that day when that happens.” There have been previous interviews in which Ant has admitted to eating three bags of Chester’s Hot Fries per day. Plus, he even once ordered McDonald’s during a post-game press conference. While he may not have asked Rudy questions like these, Anthony Edwards found a mentor in Stephen Curry during his time at the Olympics. Edwards credited Curry for influencing his shooting mindset, specifically to “let it fly”.

He led the NBA in three-pointers made during the 2024–25 season with 320 makes. So he is curious too, but Gobert is yet to see that side of him, which he has seen plenty of in Victor Wembanyama.

“But yeah. So it shows about how he’s 22 years old, he’s already dedicated about his health. It says a lot,” concluded Gobert. It’s not just Rudy talking about the San Antonio Spurs star’s curiosity to learn. Legends like Jamal Crawford and Hakeem Olajuwon also feel the same after training with him.

Crawford, a legend known for his elite ball-handling skills, worked with Wemby on footwork and guard-like mobility. The 3x Sixth MOTY stated that Victor Wembanyama‘s curiosity was so intense that moves which took years to master were “downloaded” by him in just five minutes.