Basketball: Victor Wembanyama, first Frenchman crowned "rookie of the year" in the NBA
Know how to respond present. Expected as the messiah, even before being drafted in first place in June 2023 by the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama did not disappoint for his debut in the North American basketball league. Better yet, it exceeded expectations. If his team finished the regular season at the bottom of the Western Conference rankings (14th out of 15), the 20-year-old prodigy won, on the night of Monday May 6 to Tuesday May 7, the title of “rookie of the year”, awarded to the best rookie playing his first season in the NBA. Never has a Frenchman received this award, given in the past to players who have become legends (Michael Jordan in 1985, Shaquille O’Neal in 1993, LeBron James in 2004, etc…).
Victor Wembanyama (2.24m) was named alongside Americans Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller. The Frenchman stood out with statistics rarely seen in a rookie. In the 71 games he played (out of a possible 82), “Wemby” averaged 21.4 points, along with 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals. . All while playing on average only 29.7 minutes per game, far from the 37.5 minutes of Luka Doncic, the current top scorer in the NBA. This reduced playing time is explained by the Spurs’ desire to protect their jewel from injury in a league that is much more physical than all the others.
Over the months, Victor Wembanyama has gained momentum, multiplying precocity records. From November 2, he made his mark by passing 38 points and 10 rebounds to the Phoenix Suns of Kevin Durant (elected rookie of the year in 2008). In mid-December, he became the fourth rookie in history to sign a triple-double (three statistics with at least ten units). And in February, he is the youngest to achieve a five-by-five (five statistics with five units minimum), only the 15th player to achieve such a feat in the “Big League” since the first, George Johnson, in March 1978.
Above all, his defensive performances are such that the San Antonio player is also nominated for the “best defender of the year” trophy, alongside his teammate with the Blues, Rudy Gobert. For example, he largely dominates the ranking of best blocker in the NBA, with his 3.6 blocks per game, compared to “only” 2.4 for his runners-up Walker Kessler and Brook Lopez. This award for the best defender will be presented on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. Never has a rookie lifted this trophy. A new record in sight for Victor Wembanyama?
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