Wemby Reveals Hall of Famers That Influenced His Defensive Game Ahead of Spurs-Knicks NBA Finals G5

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama named Ben Wallace and Hakeem Olajuwon as players who influenced the defense that has helped carry the Spurs to the 2026 NBA Finals.

"Ben Wallace, Hakeem. I've watched and been shown many of these guys," Wembanyama told NBA insider Chris Haynes about who he models his defensive game after in an interview aired on NBA TV ahead of Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

Olajuwon was named Finals MVP in 1994 and 1995 after helping the Houston Rockets win consecutive NBA titles. Wallace's defense helped the Detroit Pistons win the 2004 title over Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wembanyama is now looking to lead the Spurs to a title with a similarly dominant defensive run of his own.

The Spurs star has already made history this postseason. He set the NBA single-game playoff blocks record during the Spurs' second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Wembanyama then broke Dikembe Mutombo's record for the most total blocks in a debut postseason by recording his 70th block of the postseason in Game 3 of the Finals against the New York Knicks.

His defense hasn't been enough so far to hold back the Knicks, who have overcome three double-digit deficits against the Spurs to take a 3-1 series lead.

Wembanyama will be defending with the Spurs' postseason on the line when a must-win Game 5 tips off Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio.