Victor Wembanyama entered the NBA with sky-high expectations, reminiscent of LeBron James in 2003. The French phenom lived up to the hype, earning the 2023-2024 NBA Rookie of the Year award on May 6. He dominated rookie statistics, leading in points (21.4), rebounds (10.6), and blocks (3.6) per game. His unanimous selection, with all 99 first-place votes, marked him as the first to achieve this since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016 and the first French player to win the award.
Dominating the All-Rookie First Team
Wembanyama’s impressive stats secured him a unanimous spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Besides leading in major categories, he ranked fourth in assists (3.9) and second in steals (1.2) among rookies. His averages of 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in under 30 minutes per game were unprecedented. Additionally, he became the first to tally at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks, and 100 three-pointers in a season.
At 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama proved a defensive powerhouse, leading the NBA with 3.6 blocks per game. He amassed 254 blocks, significantly outpacing his peers, including fellow rookie Chet Holmgren. Wembanyama joined Manute Bol as the only rookie to lead the league in blocks per game in a season.
Blocks as a rookie:
397 — Manute Bol
197 — Victor WembanyamaAlmost halfway there, Wemby 😅 pic.twitter.com/6tH0AhBEEe
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) March 14, 2024
All-Defensive First Team Honors
Wembanyama’s defensive prowess earned him a place on the 2023–24 All-Defensive First Team, making him the first rookie and the youngest player to receive this honor. Beyond blocks, he excelled in total deflections (205), defensive rebounds per game (8.4), and defensive rebound percentage (27.3%).
Victor Wembanyama finished as the runner-up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, narrowly losing to Rudy Gobert. This made him the highest-finishing rookie in the award’s history, tying with Manute Bol. His peers voted him the best defender in the league, a testament to his incredible impact, leading in blocks and defensive stats.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award gets announced tonight.
The finalists for DPOY
Bam Adebayo
Rudy Gobert
Victor Wembanyama pic.twitter.com/b0ftMe0vuW— Heat Diehards (@HeatDiehards) May 7, 2024
Victor Wembanyama’s stellar rookie season has set a high bar, and his future looks even brighter as he prepares for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
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