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After one of the most impressive debut seasons ever, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama has won the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
NBA Communications @NBAPR
San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama is the recipient of the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. pic.twitter.com/bjT6PwLa7v
It was revealed Monday that Wembanyama beat out Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets for the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.
The vote was unanimous for Wembanyama, getting all 99 first-place votes:
NBA Communications @NBAPR
Victor Wembanyama received all 99 first-place votes from a media panel, making him the first unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year since Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season. pic.twitter.com/cWcjdXRrUD
This is the third time a Spurs player has won the Rookie of the Year award. David Robinson (1989-90) and Tim Duncan (1997-98) previously took home the honors.
The anticipation for Wembanyama’s rookie season was as high as it has been for a player since LeBron James in 2003. He didn’t immediately storm out of the gate, but it wasn’t long before the 20-year-old was able to show off what is going to make him special for a long time.
Wembanyama became the youngest NBA player ever—and one of only 15 players in league history—to record a 5×5 stat line with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
By some statistical measures, Wembanyama had the greatest rookie season in NBA history. His combined total of 49.4 points, blocks, rebounds, assists and steals per 36 minutes is the best for any first-year player. Spurs legend David Robinson had the previous record with 43.2.
Wembanyama joined Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal with at least 1,000 points and 150 blocks through their first 50 games. He also became the first player ever with 150 blocks, 150 assists and 75 three-pointers in a season, accomplishing the feat in only 48 games.
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
From @ESPNStatsInfo:
Victor Wembanyama is the 3rd player with 1,000 points and 150 blocks through his first 50 career games, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) & David Robinson (1989-90).
He is the 1st player with 1,000 points, 150 blocks & 150 assists through 50 career games.
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
In last night’s triple double, Wembanyama recorded his 75th 3-pointer, 150th assist and 150th block of the season.
He’s the first player in NBA history to have 75 3s, 150 assists and 150 blocks in the same season.
And it took him 48 games.
If the Spurs had been more competitive this season, Wembanyama would have had a strong argument to win Defensive Player of the Year. Their team defensive rating was five points better with him on the floor (116.7) than it was when he was off the floor (121.8).
Wembanyama finished his rookie season averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in 71 starts.
The scary thing for the rest of the NBA is this will probably be the worst version of Wembanyama in the league. He improved by leaps and bounds over the course of his rookie year and will now have a full offseason to work on the areas of his game that are still raw.