Victor Wimbanyama, a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, has been criticized by former EuroCup Coach of the Year Zvezdan Mitrovic. Mitrovic questioned Wimbanyama's physique and injury-prone nature and blamed it on his thin frame.

"In fact, I'm worried that someone might bump into him and hurt his knee," Mitrovic said in an interview with Meridian Sports Daily.

Mitrovic also said that Wimbanyama may not be as unstoppable as some believe, arguing that the perception that he can't play defense is exaggerated because the modern NBA is softer compared to its early days.

"I watched the San Antonio Spurs game. Now, everything is easy," he said.

"Imagine Charles Oakley defending Wim Banyama. One contact and he's back in Paris. I prefer that kind of basketball, but I'm still old-fashioned," he added.

Victor Wimbanyama doesn't like being called a 'unicorn'.

Victor Wimbanyama has made a huge impact this season despite being criticized for his size. He currently sits atop the NBA rookie rankings, averaging 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 caps in eight games.

However, Wambanyama doesn't like being called a "unicorn" and prefers to go by the nickname LeBron James gave him, "Alien."

"I mean," the Spurs rookie said, "that nickname has been used a lot, so I'm not a big fan of it." Like LeBron said, 'Everyone was a unicorn once.' There's only one alien, right?"

James had made the comment in October 2022 that Winbane Hill was more like an alien.

"Everyone's been a unicorn for the last few years, but he's more like an alien. No one has ever seen someone as tall as him and yet he can be so fluid and graceful on the court," James said.

Although James and Wimbanyama have never faced each other on the court, both are first-round picks and clearly respect each other. Their much-anticipated matchup will take place on Dec. 13, when the Los Angeles Lakers hit the road to face the San Antonio Spurs.