Everything good that was said about Victor Wembanyama was true. It may even have fallen short. The Spurs prodigy has responded to the very high expectations that surrounded him before he landed in the NBA to surprise the basketball planet and the entire universe. To confirm the beginning of his era, the 2.24 meter, 20-year-old French player has been chosen Rookie of the Year ahead of Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets).
‘Wemby’ has obtained 495 votes as a result of the 99 elections in first place from a media panel, with which there has been unanimity to award him the award. Holmgren is at 295 (98 second-place votes and one third-place vote) and Miller is at 86.
To explain your choice, the simple thing would be to go to their numbers: 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks (statistical leader), 1.8 triples and 1.2 recoveries. In the history of the NBA, no one made those numbers. Not any rookie, no one. He is also the first player to make 1,500 points, 250 assists and 100 three-pointers in a season, there have never been two 5×5 games in a row, he is the youngest to make 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game, he has added 43 double-doubles , two triple-doubles and has flirted with a quadruple-double that he will achieve sooner or later.
All of this would be enough to justify the award, but the thing is that Its impact goes far beyond the digits no matter how amazing they are. The NBA has never seen anything like Wembanyama and he has confirmed that he is the closest thing to an alien that has ever played basketball: a giant that moves like an escortwho walks the track as if he were wearing seven-league boots and arrives first on the counterattack, which blocks without jumping just like he scores triples after taking a step backwho crushes with the same ease as he finds holes to penetrate towards the rim…
His resources are abundant in attack and it seems that they will increase with the passing of the seasons. However, It is in defense where he has already confirmed himself as an absolutely elite player in the NBA. In fact, it is also nominated for Best Defender with his compatriot Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo. When ‘Wemby’ is on the track, there is dread. He has modified the term far, because you are never far enough away from the endless arms of him. Not even the triple jumpers. The blocks are counted, the fear it instills is not. You only know that it is a lot.
A protected physique
The Rookie of the Year award is the culmination of a season that had already left Wembanyama with great news: health. With that fragile-looking physique, There were reasonable doubts about his fit in the hustle and bustle of the NBA. He also responded there: He has missed only 11 games, mostly the second night of back-to-back. The Spurs have protected him restricting his minutes, which have remained at 29.7 per game. It’s scary to think where he can place his statistics when his presence on the court increases.
The race to be the best rookie was tight until halfway through the course, when Holmgren was a worthy rival. In addition to his great performance, the Thunder’s team was also supported by the victories of his team, ultimately the Western champion. The Spurs have spent the entire season at the bottom of the Conference (22-60), although they finally surpassed the Blazers to avoid being bottom. However, Wembanyama’s performances, his impact, his numerous marks and an improvement of his team shot him towards an award that does not allow discussion.
