Victor Wembanyama is already making a strong case for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. In his first four NBA games, the 19-year-old Spurs rookie has displayed remarkable skills on both ends of the floor. While his offensive abilities are impressive, it’s his impact on defense that truly stands out.
Scoring against Wembanyama is no easy task. According to StatMamba, opponents are shooting a mere 20% from the field and just 6.7% from long range when defended by the 7’4″ rookie.
Besides his individual defensive prowess, Wembanyama’s presence significantly affects his team’s defense. When he’s on the court, the San Antonio Spurs have a defensive rating of 104.8 points per 100 possessions, a substantial improvement. This rating climbs to 128.4 when he’s on the bench. Overall, San Antonio ranks 24th out of 30 teams in the league with a defensive rating of 115.2 points per 100 possessions. When considering Wembanyama’s impact alone, the Spurs would be among the top 10 teams in the league.
Wembanyama is also averaging 2.4 blocks per game, putting him among the league’s top shot blockers. He is tied for 7th with nine total blocks and ranks 3rd in block percentage at 7.6%, trailing only Jaren Jackson Jr. (8.0%) and fellow rookie Chet Holmgren (7.7%).
While it’s uncommon for a rookie to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, Wembanyama’s unique skills and potential make him a strong contender. In the history of the NBA, only two players, Michael Jordan and David Robinson, have won both the Rookie of the Year and DPOY awards during their careers, but not in their rookie season. Wembanyama’s extraordinary length and athleticism could pave the way for him to lead the league in blocked shots and remain a DPOY candidate for years to come.
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