San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Predicted to Win 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been predicted to win the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

A group of ESPN NBA experts, including reporters, editors and analysts, believe Wembanyama will be the best defender in the league next season.

“Deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder essentially robbed Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama of winning his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last season because the 21-year-old failed to meet the 65-game threshold for eligibility when he was shut down on Feb. 20,” Michael C. Wright wrote. “Despite playing in just 46 games last season, Wembanyama led the league in blocks (176) by a wide margin over second-place finisher Brook Lopez (148 blocks). Plus, he averaged 1.1 steals for a Spurs defense that owned a defensive rating of 115.4 with him on the floor (121.4 without).

“If Wembanyama plays in league-required 65 games this season, it would be a surprise if he didn’t snatch the award by a landslide ahead of reigning DPOY Evan Mobley and other contenders such as Chet Holmgren, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert.”

Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.8 blocks last season for the Spurs in 45 games while shooting 47.6% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 83.6% from the free-throw line. He made his first All-Star team and recorded 28 double-doubles and one triple-double.

The first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Wembanyama has career averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.7 blocks. He’s led the league in blocks per game and total blocks both years as a pro.

The Spurs haven’t made the playoffs since 2019. However, they have an extremely bright future with Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper leading the way.  

Fox and the Spurs have agreed to a four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension. Wembanyama and Fox “have developed a close relationship,” according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.