How could it be otherwise? After a more than successful first NBA season individually, Victor Wembanyama (2.23 m, 20 years old) was logically elected rookie of the year this Monday. The announcement was made live on TNT, before the broadcast of the day’s play-off matches. The Spurs interior is ahead of Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City) and Brandon Miller (Charlotte). “Wemby” is the first Frenchman to receive this award, and the 6th player unanimously designated (after Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard, and Karl-Anthony Towns).
If the San Antonio Spurs finished in the bottom of the Western Conference (14th, 22 wins for 60 losses), the number one in the 2023 draft has little to complain about. Progressing throughout the season, Wembanyama finished with averages – exceptional for a beginner – of 21.4 points (46.5% shooting including 32.5% at 3 points), 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 passes and 3.6 blocks (No. 1 in the NBA in this last category). A first year marked by numerous highlights and several personal achievements: two triple-doubles, including a 10-block game against Toronto, a 40-point and 20-rebound game against the Knicks, a five-by-five, etc.
“When you look at the stats, you say to yourself that it’s completely crazy”, admired his coach Gregg Popovich. In its wake, the weak Spurs collective gradually found its feet, finishing the season much better (7 victories in the last 11 matches). Proof of his impact, the NBA superstars that Wembanyama encountered never stopped complimenting him. “He’s going to change the game 100%. He is already on this path. Sit back and enjoy the show »had for example slipped Nikola Jokic, while Joel Embiid imagines him breaking all records ” perhaps even Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points ».
After seeing his rival Chet Holmgren win the rookie of the month titles in the West in November and December, Wembanyama proclaimed that from now on, “each match would be a message” sent to the competition. In fact, the prodigy significantly raised his level of play, collecting the trophy for the months of January, February and March, definitively closing the race for the ROY title. The Frenchman is also a finalist, alongside Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo, for the title of best defender of the year, which will be announced Tuesday evening.