The French center Victor Wembanyamaof San Antonio Spurswas named Monday as the “Rookie of the Year” in the NBAbecoming the first player from his country to receive this award.
Wembanyamaof 20 years old and 2.24 meters tallchosen first in the 2023 draft by San Antonio, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in his first season in the NBA.
The French center received 99 first-place votes, in the first unanimous “Rookie of the Year” election since Karl-Anthony Towns received this distinction in 2016.
“My goals were always to have my team the best it could be and to improve as the year progressed”said Wembanyama to the American station TNT. “I knew that to do this I had to be good individually on the court and dominant, so it is something huge for me (the award), something very important to achieve”he assured.
Chet Holmgrencenter of the Western Conference leader, Oklahoma City Thundercame in second place and Brandon Millerof Charlotte Hornetswas third.
While the Spurs disappointed in the regular season with the second worst record in the Western Conference, with 22 wins and sixty losses, ‘Wemby’ became a sensation in the League with astonishing feats, at the height of the fame with which he landed in the NBAconsidered a unique talent of his generation.
The Top Ten of Wembanyama in the 23/24 season
Wembanyama’s notable statistical achievements in his first NBA season
With 38 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in a November win over phoenix, Wembanyamawhich then had 19 yearshe joined to Lebron James and Kevin Durant as the only teenagers in the NBA in getting 35 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in a game.
After achieving his first triple double in the League in a January win over Detroit Pistons, Wembanyama achieved his second triple double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in a victory over Toronto Raptors a month later, the first with 20 points and 10 blocks in less than 30 minutes played and the first player in the NBA in achieving a triple double in which blocks are counted from 2021.
Wembanyama He also became the youngest player in the history of the NBA in registering a “five by five” statistical and he did it in 30 minutesthe fastest in history, with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in a defeat against Los Angeles Lakers.
The French phenomenon joined the great historical stars of the Spurs, Tim Duncan and David Robinsonas the only players with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game by achieving 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, six blocks and one steal in a March victory over Indiana Pacers.
At the end of March, ‘Wemby’ scored 40 points and took 20 reboundsthe highest figure of his career, in a victory over the New York Knicks.
Wembanyamaalso a finalist as “Defensive Player of the Year” of the NBAwill defend France in the Paris 2024 Olympic Gameswhich will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Grandson of basketball players, son of an athlete father and a basketball player and coach mother, Wembanyama He had been a goalkeeper before switching from soccer to basketball as he grew taller. He became a star in the French League and attracted the attention of the league’s scouts. NBA eager to watch its development.
At the time of draft of 2023 There was no doubt that ‘Wemby’ would be the first selection, joining a team from the Spurs where another Frenchman, the base Tony Parkerbecame a legend of the NBA.
Source: Ambito
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