French basketball star Victor Wembanyama clinches NBA Rookie of the Year award with the San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama, the standout French talent, secures the prestigious NBA Rookie of the Year title while representing the San Antonio Spurs, marking a historic win for France in the basketball realm.
San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA's Rookie of the Year, making history as the first player from France to receive this prestigious award.
Standing tall at 7 feet 4 inches and at the age of 20, Victor was a clear choice for the honor, outshining Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets in the voting conducted by 99 members of the media. In fact, he became the sixth player in league history to earn this title with a unanimous vote.
"My main aim was to support my team to the best of my abilities and improve throughout the year. I understood that to achieve this, I needed to excel individually on the court and be a dominant player," shared Wembanyama, who was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft. "It was a significant milestone for me and a major accomplishment."
Victor Wembanyama rebounds against Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Victor Wembanyama rebounds against Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
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Wembanyama, a center-forward, had an impressive rookie season in the NBA. He played 71 games and averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and led the league with 3.6 blocks per game.
He made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve over 1,500 points (1,522), block at least 250 shots (254), and make 100 3-pointers (128) in a single season.
Wembanyama's performance as a rookie is remarkable. His points and rebounds per game are the highest since Blake Griffin's averages of 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds during the 2010-11 season.
The Frenchman is the most recent international player to win the award, following Slovenia's Luka Doncic in the 2018-19 season. The Spurs didn't make it to the playoffs this year, ending the regular season with a 22-60 record, the same as the year before.
The Spurs star is one of three players named as finalists for Defensive Player of the Year and could become the first rookie in NBA history to make All-Defensive first team.
Wembanyama is continuing the legacy of San Antonio's former No. 1 draft picks, the Hall of Fame big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan, who both won rookie of the year awards.
A special thanks to CNN's Homero De la Fuente for his contribution to this report.
Editor's P/S:
Victor Wembanyama's historic Rookie of the Year award is a testament to his exceptional talent and the impact he has made on the NBA. His unanimous selection reflects the dominance he displayed on both ends of the court, leading the league in blocks and setting new records for a rookie. Wembanyama's contributions have already transformed the San Antonio Spurs, and his potential to become one of the league's all-time greats is undeniable.
Wembanyama's success also highlights the growing presence of international players in the NBA. As the league continues to expand its global reach, players from all over the world are showcasing their abilities and challenging the traditional dominance of American players. Wembanyama's journey from France to the NBA is an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide, proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
