Victor Wembanyama has been named NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr, turning into the youngest winner in historical past and the primary to assert the award unanimously.
The San Antonio Spurs star obtained all 100 first-place votes, underlining his impression at simply 22 years previous in solely his second eligible season.
“The true wrestle may need been attending to 65 video games,” Wembanyama stated. “However I’m tremendous, tremendous joyful to win this award and really tremendous proud to be the first-ever unanimous.”
Wembanyama led the league in blocks for the second straight season, ending with 197, whereas additionally contributing 66 steals and 11.5 rebounds per recreation.
Chet Holmgren completed second within the voting, whereas Ausar Thompson got here third.
The achievement additionally locations Wembanyama alongside earlier Spurs winners comparable to Kawhi Leonard, who claimed the award in consecutive seasons in 2015 and 2016.
Wembanyama fulfils prediction after rookie season
The award follows feedback Wembanyama made throughout his rookie 12 months, when he instructed Rudy Gobert’s run of success within the class would quickly come to an finish.
On the time, Gobert went on to win his fourth Defensive Participant of the Yr award, however Wembanyama has now taken over because the standout defensive presence within the league.
After lacking out on eligibility final season resulting from harm, he returned this 12 months to assert the honour in emphatic style.
Spurs team-mates reward Wembanyama impression
His team-mates had been fast to spotlight each his work ethic and affect on the court docket.
“The whole lot that he’s achieved to this point has been earned and by no means given,” stated Keldon Johnson.
“He’s one of many hardest staff I’ve ever been round. He takes his craft very significantly, and I really feel like that is only a small token of what’s to return.”
Wembanyama, nevertheless, pointed to the collective effort behind his success.
“We regularly overlook the crew facet,” he stated. “I’m sitting right here, I occur to be the man who’s put within the highlight, however I’m a part of a system.”
Wembanyama eyes extra NBA awards
Wembanyama can be in rivalry for the NBA MVP award alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
After turning into the primary unanimous winner, consideration will now flip as to whether Wembanyama can construct on this and set up a run of dominance much like earlier multiple-time winners.
