How does Victor Wembanyama's preseason dominance compare to NBA greats?

No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama starred in the San Antonio Spurs' 120-104 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. He's started in both of the Spurs' preseason games so far, including the 122-121 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and made an impact immediately.

One of the most hyped NBA prospects in years, Wembanyama scored 23 points and notched four rebounds, three blocks, and four assists in 23 minutes against the Heat. He was similarly efficient in the loss to the Thunder with 20 points, five rebounds, and a block in 19 minutes of action.

The Spurs deployed Wembanyama in multiple ways. At times, he ran point for the offense and at others his off-ball movement opened up opportunities.

Wembanyama's hype is arguably the biggest since LeBron James entered the league in 2003. So far, he's outplaying some of the most hyped rookies in recent memory. Here's a look at how others fared in their preseason action:

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Zion Williamson shines in 2019 preseason

Williamson joined RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish to form one of the best freshman trios in the country for Duke. The 2018-19 season came to an end in the Elite Eight with a 68-67 loss to Michigan State but Williamson was a highlight machine in his only college season.

As a rookie, Williamson showed an all-around performance in his first preseason game. Sixteen points, seven rebounds, three steals, and three assists powered the Pelicans to a 133-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Williamson only improved as the preseason wore on. He led the Pelicans in scoring three times in five preseason games. He led the team in scoring (22 points) and rebounds (10) in the penultimate win against San Antonio. Williamson played well enough in the 2019-2020 season to earn All-Rookie First Team honors.

Anthony Davis overcomes tough preseason debut in 2012

Davis put together one of the best freshman seasons in recent history. Kentucky won the 2012 NCAA National Championship and he earned Naismith College Player of the Year, AP College Basketball Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden awards. The Pelicans took him first overall and he debuted Oct. 16, 2012 against the Orlando Magic.

Davis scored just eight points on 4 of 9 shooting from the field in 23 minutes of action. He added eight rebounds and two blocks in the 85-80 loss.

After that, Davis averaged 16 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the rest of the preseason. He followed the preseason with a solid first season for the Pelicans. Damian Lillard won Rookie of the Year in 2012-13 but Davis made the All-Rookie First Team in his first NBA season.

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LeBron James struggles with cold shooting in 2003 preseason

Many have compared Wembanyama's expectations to James' hype entering the 2003-04 NBA season. James powered the Cavaliers to a 100-96 win over the eventual world champion Detroit Pistons.

James made just 4-of-12 shots from the field for eight points but added three rebounds and seven assists, including a highlight-reel behind-the-back dish to Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

James followed that with six points, three rebounds, and three assists one night later in an 83-80 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He struggled against the Los Angeles Lakers later on in the preseason, shooting 4-of-18 from the field. Things improved by the end of the preseason with the eventual superstar scoring 19 points and notching eight assists in the finale against the Washington Wizards.

It didn't affect him too much, though. James averaged 20.9 points per game en route to Rookie of the Year honors.

Kobe Bryant becomes youngest player to appear in NBA game during 1996 preseason

Bryant got his first taste of NBA action on Nov. 3, 1996. At 18 years and 72 days old, Bryant set the record for youngest player in an NBA game. It wasn't a very unremarkable debut: zero points, one rebound, and one block in six minutes off the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Two nights later, Bryant scored his first NBA point with a free throw against the New York Knicks. He played just three minutes off the bench.

Bryant ended up with a relatively low-key rookie season averaging 7.6 points per game. He'd make his first of 18 All-Star teams the following season.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victor Wembanyama's preseason start compared to LeBron, Zion, Kobe