Victor Wembanyama made his mark as the NBA's ultimate unicorn during a superb rookie season for the San Antonio Spurs. The rookie and 2023 No. 1 overall pick stands 7-foot-4 with a wingspan projected at roughly 8 feet but can dominate both inside and off the dribble.
After averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks during his first NBA season, Wembanyama's skill set has officially taken the NBA by storm. During the introductory news conference of his new point guard, Chris Paul, the 12-time All-Star discussed Wembanyama's impact on the league during his first season, via ESPN's Andrew Lopez:
"I played against [Wembanyama] this season, and I tell you there's probably no player in the league that everybody in the league talks about after the game like him," Paul said. "Everybody has to adjust to stuff."
Wembanyama's impact on both ends was highlighted throughout his first season, but he was especially dominant defensively. It was common to see his presence alone impact how players would handle fastbreaks when the French phenom was under the basket or chasing down a ball-handler.
The 20-year-old made a late push for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award, ultimately given to Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. While Gobert earned the award for the fourth time in his career, don't be surprised if Wembanyama takes the crown following the 2024-25 season and remains a front-runner for many years.
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