Victor Wembanyama, the highly-touted French big man, has just won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award for his first year as the San Antonio Spurs’ number one overall pick. In response, he released a video message that pays tribute to everyone who has helped further his career so far.
Even before being selected as the top pick in last year’s draft, the Spurs rookie had already accumulated a lot of hype playing in Europe. His remarkable blend of size, shot creation, playmaking, and defense had made him the most hyped-up prospect since LeBron James was selected in the 2003 Draft.
Following the offseason, all eyes were on Wemby to see if he was truly worth the hype. And after a slow start, the French star found his groove and never looked back since. Over the course of 71 games this season, Wemby averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. He also led the league in blocks when he rejected an average of 3.6 shots on a nightly basis.
Despite SAS stinking in the standings, Wembanyama’s performance all year long was one of the few highlights of their season. As a result, the young center won this season’s Rookie of the Year award, validating all the hard work he did for San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Thankful For Rookie Season In An Awesome Video Message
Some time after winning Rookie of the Year, a video message written and narrated by French star was released on the Spurs’ official account on X:
As seen in the video, Wemby thanked the franchise legends who came together to help him in his first year, such as David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker, among others. He also credited the coaching staff and his teammates for welcoming him to the franchise.
Wemby’s first year in the NBA only marks the start of his journey. Expect the French star to only become better and grow more popular in the coming seasons.
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