Crawford, who spent time with Wembanyama over the summer sharing insights from his 20-year career, was impressed by the young star’s approach to learning. “Oh my god, he’s a sponge,” Jamal said on the Knuckleheads Podcast, praising Wemby’s eagerness to absorb knowledge.

“He’s the most mature 20-year-old that I’ve ever talked to in my life”, Crawford continued. “Like wise beyond his years. Like how he thinks, how he sees the game. Stuff it took me years to learn, he picked it up in minutes.”

Jamal Crawford went further, describing his time with Wembanyama as one of the most impactful moments of his life. “I haven’t said this so I’m going to say this. It will go down as one of the five greatest basketball experiences I’ve ever had, working with him, when all is said and done,” he revealed, underscoring the remarkable potential he sees in the young Frenchman.

No small accolade for Wembanyama

For Jamal Crawford to rank his summer sessions with Victor Wembanyama among the highlights of his career underscores the young center’s unique talent and remarkable potential. Crawford, a distinguished NBA veteran, enjoyed a 20-year career with some of the league’s most iconic franchises, including the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors.

Known for his dynamic scoring ability and leadership, Crawford was a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2010, 2014, and 2016—making his praise for Wembanyama all the more significant.

How did Wembanyama fare in the 2024-25 season opener?

Amid high expectations for both Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA regular season opener didn’t go entirely as planned. The Spurs fell 120-109 to the Dallas Mavericks in a hard-fought game.

However, Wembanyama’s individual performance showcased his potential: he scored 17 points in 28 minutes, though he struggled with efficiency, making only five of 18 field goal attempts and just one of eight from beyond the arc. Despite the result, his presence on the court confirmed why he’s one of the most anticipated players in recent years, and fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he evolves this season.

His determination to be always the first person in and the last person out of the gym and outwork every single hooper on Earth, plus his unmatched character and mental strength, made him a legend.

That’s why former NBA player Jamal Crawford — who went against the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and many others, chose Kobe as the toughest player he ever faced.

Jamal Crawford Says Kobe Was The Toughest Player Ever

“Guarding him was like no other,” Crawford said. “He was literally the best player I’ve ever played against. He had no fear. He could go 1-for-15 and think he was hot. His work ethic, his skill. When you knew you were going to play against him, he wanted to take your heart but you lost sleep the night before.”

Kobe took several moves out of Michael Jordan’s book, and he was perhaps the closest thing we ever had to him. But more than his moves, his mind games and work ethic separated him from the rest of the pack.

It’s a shame that life took him away from us so early. But at least we can rest assured that his spirit and Mamba Mentality still live in dozens of hoopers he inspired to get better every day.

For example, the Michael Jordan Trophywill beawarded to theNBA Most Valuable Player, the Jerry West Trophy will beawarded to theNBA Clutch Player of the Year. The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy will beawarded to the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy will beawarded to the NBA Rookie of the Year. The John Havlicek Trophy will be awarded to the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and theGeorge Mikan Trophy will beawarded to the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year:

As it happened with the Finals and Conference MVPs, the Conference title trophies, there are still people that think that the NBA logo should change. Especially since the matter as part of the racial justice movement promoted by the players, but also to pay homage to one of the great players in NBA history.

NBA News: Former playerproposes Kobe Bryant as the new NBA logo

After those awards were presented, Jamal Crawford, one of the best sixth man in the NBA history, who has threeSixth Man of the Year Awards, took his social media to bring up an idea that has beenin the people’s minds since Kobe Bryant’stragic death in 2020.

“Since we’re naming things, perfect time to name Kobe(Bryant) as the new logo for the NBA. Thanks in advance”,posted the former NBA playeron his Instagram. Although hedidn’t won any NBA Championships, heplayed for nine different NBA franchises in the league since the 2000 season through the 2020 season.

Also Crawford is one of the eight players to have played in the NBA through 20 seasons. Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter,Robert Parish,Kevin Willis,Kevin Garnett,Dirk Nowitzki,Kareem Abdul-Jabbarare part of that list with him. So, Crawford knows by first-hand how important Kobe was for the NBA.

Michael Jordan can add being the oldest player to score over 40 points in a game to his legacy of six NBA titles and his Olympic Gold medal. Kobe Bryant is the oldest player to score over 60 points in a single game at 37, not only did Bryant do it well over 30 years of age, but he did it in his final game as a pro.

The following list will feature the oldest players in NBA history to score 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 pointsrespectively in a single game. Like we noted before some of the names that will be featured in this list include greats like MJ and the Black Mamba.

Oldest NBA player to score 20 points

The eight-time NBA all-star Vince Carter scored over 20+ points in a single game, 21, against the Miami Heat while playing for the Atlanta Hawks at the age of 42 and 37 days. Carter retired from basketball in June of 2020.

Oldest NBA player to score 30 points

While playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points in a game against the Phoenix Suns at the age of 40 and 294 days. Nowitzki scored well over 30,000 points in his NBA career and won 1 NBA title in 2011.

Oldest NBA player to score 40 points

What can be said about Michael Jordan that hasn’t been said already. At the age of 40, MJ hit for 40+ points while suiting up and coming back from retirement for the Washington Wizards against the then New Jersey Nets. Air Jordan was 40 years old.

Oldest NBA player to score 50 points

At 39 years of age, Jamal Crawford scored 50+ points in a game for the Phoenix Suns against the Dallas Mavericks. Crawford played until last year where he suited up for the Brooklyn Nets, and was an NBA sixth man three times in his career.

Oldest NBA player to score 60 points

Talk about going out with a bang! The great Kobe Bryant said his goodbye to professional basketball with a 60+ point performance for the Lakers against the Utah Jazz. Kobe was 37 and gave the fans a show they won’t soon forget. We all know what happened afterward and the sports world is still recovering from the loss of one of the NBA’s and world sports most charismatic figures.