Nancy Turner
May 07, 2024 - 05:05

Victor Wembanyama named NBA Rookie of the Year by unanimous decision

Frenchman Victor Wembanyama unanimously wins NBA Rookie of the Year, eyes Defensive Player of the Year next, aiming for history-making achievement.

Victor Wembanyama, the talented Frenchman, has lived up to the high expectations set for him by being named the NBA Rookie of the Year. With an impressive debut season, he has set his sights on also winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, aiming to make history as the first player to achieve both accolades in the same season.

Receiving 99 first-place votes, Wembanyama outshined Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller in the voting process. This makes him the first unanimous Rookie of the Year since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015/16, joining the ranks of past NBA legends such as Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Blake Griffin, and Damian Lillard who have also achieved this feat.

Throughout the season, Wembanyama showcased his skills by averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 71 games. Leading the league in blocks and displaying solid shooting percentages, he proved to be a valuable asset to his team, the Spurs, who were looking to bounce back from a disappointing previous season.

Born in Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt on January 4, 2004, Wembanyama is not only the first French player to win the Rookie of the Year award but also the third player from the San Antonio Spurs to achieve this honor, following in the footsteps of David Robinson and Tim Duncan. His dedication to improving his game, both physically and skill-wise, has been evident throughout the season, with his hard work paying off in the form of this prestigious award.

Looking ahead, Wembanyama remains focused on further developing his game and contributing to his team's success. As a finalist for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and a potential member of the French Olympic team for the upcoming Paris Games, his future in the league looks bright. With a promising career ahead of him, Wembanyama continues to strive for greatness and aims to leave a lasting impact on the NBA.