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The San Antonio Spurs now have three images of one of their fabled 7-footers holding a Rookie of the Year trophy. With Saturday’s presentation, Victor Wembanyama joins David Robinson and Tim Duncan as Silver and Black icons who’ve won the honor.
“It’s always something that pushes me even more,” Wemby said. “You have to carry on the great accomplishments of the past players, especially since they’re still around and giving us advice and energy. It’s an an honor also to have my name next to theirs.”
Wemby on joining the #Spurs legacy of David Robinson and Tim Duncan as #NBA Rookie of the Year winners…
“It always something that pushes me even more to carry on the great accomplishments of the past players…”
Full answer
Video from Spurs#GoSpursGo #PorVida pic.twitter.com/hhDUOok7NJ— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) May 11, 2024
Victor Wembanyama embraces receiving ROY trophy
“What has it meant?” the generational talent repeated, almost with awe, when asked that very question about earning the honor.
“Everything.
“Of course, I want to win as soon as possible and I want the team results to be there, but I didn’t expect to be champions in my first year,” Victor Wembanyama admitted. “But this one of the representations of our progression throughout the year and the efforts we all made on the court.”
Though the Spurs struggled through a 22-60 record, they were much better over the final three weeks of the season when they went 7-4 after having gone 15-56 through 71 games.
“I had many things on my mind the whole season. To me, it was no bigger than that, the work for the future and showing the way, being a leader. Showing our improvement throughout the season was bigger than this so I had more things on my mind,” the 7-foot-4 marvel continued.
Many of his teammates were on hand for the trophy presentation and press conference, which came after Wemby spent time with students at San Antonio’s Scobee Education Center & Planetarium.
“I think receiving this trophy here, with fans, with kids and everyone happy to be here, it’s also a good feel for me and a representation of the love that we felt throughout the year. To me, this is the right way to receive it.”
Wemby enjoys the moment
Despite a campaign in which historic stat lines intermingled with eye-popping highlights, the first pick in last summer’s draft says he didn’t allow himself to focus on Rookie of the Year.
“I never really felt like the chase was over because I had other things to think about it. I had the responsibility toward my team and the challenge of staying dominant and helpful for the team and also staying healthy,” Victor Wembanyama answered when asked at what point throughout the year it felt as thought he’d reached ROY status.
The season now over, the French marvel is allowing himself to reflect.
“I have this energy that pushes me to want more but beyond, y0u have to treat yourself sometimes and take a step back, like on vacation, for example, to appreciate what you’ve done. You can’t always be hard on yourself,” the Spurs’ leading scorer and rebounder continued. “You have to grind every day but you also have to enjoy the moment because I’m already living through great things.
“I’m seeing great things happening around me with great people so you have to enjoy the moment also because it’s not going to last forever.”
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