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There is the curious story of Victor Wembayana who is being touted already as the greatest NBA prospect ever, or at least since LeBron James. Granted, he has displayed the comprehensive skill set that he possesses at both the professional stage of the French league, and during specially organised games with select NBA G league teams. Yet, the truth remains that he has never played a single game of the NBA.
This article isn't about Wembayana, but about how top rated prospects have come to either fall short or live up to their potential. Perhaps there is need to take a closer look and pick up some underlying lessons from each experience. It is usually a disappointment when a talent falls short, because we all know just how much naturally gifted talent can accomplish with the right push.
Where they Miss It
The first stage of talent delivery though is identification. Perhaps mistakes are made in this stage that put unnecessary expectations on players who wouldn't quite live up to the billing. Take for instance the curious draft of Anthony Bennet in the 2013 NBA Draft as the no 1 pick. Analysts say there was nothing remarkable about his talent, so drafting him as number one perhaps set him up for failure before he ever played an NBA game.
It is primarily the job of scouts to identify and recruit the best talents available from all over the World. Yet sometimes fans and media hype does propel an athlete to an undeserved spotlight, leaving them with a lot to prove where they often under-perform. Take for instance a great athletes offspring who tries to follow the footsteps of their parent. Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr is a victim of this particular circumstance. He remained extremely popular despite it being obvious he didn't have his fathers gifts. Kudos to him though for forging ahead and having a decent boxing career.
Personal Responsibility
In situations where the right talent is identified, there are also a couple of factors that can prevent them from living up to their billing. Injuries is one of them, and I have discussed this in detail before here. Other than injuries, some external factors also include the players attitude, team, support system and level of competition. The case involving Mason Greenwood for instance is particularly pathetic because he was touted as the youngster with the most potential at Manchester United.
Yet there are those who seize the moment with such enthusiasm that they even surpass the lofty expectations before them. LeBron James for instance was one of the most highly rated prospects of all time, but his ability to seize the moment also referenced his work ethic and willingness to walk into the shoes of great athletes. It takes more than talent to stand out, as being a professional also means being mixed with people who may be as talented, or more hardworking than we can imagine.
What Your Potential Does For You
In the NBA, athletes with the most potential are often selected as top draft picks. The major difference between top draft and lower round picks apart from money is an opportunity to prove themselves. Most top draft picks are given ample playing time to develop compared to lower picks who have to seize the little time they get to be noticed. Potential may get you at the door, but there is still a lot of work to do.
Can't wait to see Victor Wembayana though. I hope my Washington wizards keep on losing and we just may have a shot at landing him
Lol... Talk about a race to the bottom. He is certainly an intriguing prospect, I just hope he manages to stay injury free
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