Yardbarker
x
Victor Wembanyama Defensive Stats Fantasy 2026
© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Ask your folks what a block party is, and there will probably be a story involving hot weather, bad traffic, and killer music from artists that hadn’t popped yet. Ask a fantasy manager what a block party is, and there will very likely be mention of Victor Wembanyama.

The French forward has continued to grow his game in his third NBA season despite battling multiple injuries, and has transformed into a defensive juggernaut. Wemby’s multi-block games and stunning stats aren’t just good for the San Antonio Spurs, who are having a surprisingly good season. They have also done wonders for his status as a top-tier fantasy asset.

Let’s take a look at Wembanyama’s dominance and can’t miss performances so far, and see what this means for his fantasy stock both present and future.

Wembanyama’s Defensive Surge in 2025-26

Blocks and Steals Breakdown

If you’re miffed at Wembanyama’s absence on ESPN’s NBA stats leaders page, it’s because the stats sheet only lists players who have participated in at least 70% of games. The big man missed a heavy chunk of time early in the season with a calf strain and more recently dealt with a hyperextended knee, and is just shy of that marker as of this posting.  When he is on the court, however, he has been very hard to play against.

In fact, Wembanyama’s 3.6-4.0 blocks per game are the most in the NBA right now, and he is regularly posting three-plus blocks per night. Meanwhile, his 1.1 steals per game put him in the top three among centers in the league, and his 11.1 rebounds per game put him in the top five among all positions. 

Victor Wembanyama’s length and timing have turned blocks into a weekly fantasy advantage.Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Notable Multi-Block Games

Wembanyama’s blocking prowess helped him hit over 100 consecutive games with at least one block, making him the third player in NBA history to achieve such a feat.  He also contributed a team-high 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks that night, in a 126-89 win against the Atlanta Hawks. (The streak unfortunately ended two games later against the Oklahoma City Thunder, although the Spurs still pulled out a 130-110 win against the reigning league champs.)

The 7-foot-4 center already has two multi-block games in January 2026. He posted four blocks along with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and two steals against the Los Angeles Lakers, then proceeded to block three shots along with 21 points and six rebounds against the Boston Celtics his next time out. 

Comparison to League-Leaders

As we previously mentioned, Wembanyama is just a few games shy of being on the league-leaders stats page. Nevertheless, he still compares favorably to the competition.

Wemby is clocking 2.8 blocks through 25 games, compared to technical league-leader Alex Sarr, who has 2.3 blocks through 29 games. His 1.1 steals per game put him in a three-way tie for third among centers, alongside Derik Queen (Pelicans) and Mark Williams (Suns). And those 11.1 rebounds per game? That would rank him third in the league, below Nikola Jokic (12.2), Karl-Anthony Towns (11.4), and Rudy Gobert (11.4).

Why Blocks Matter in Fantasy

Scarcity of Defensive Categories

Not sure why Wembanyama’s defensive stats make a difference in fantasy? It’s because there are fewer areas in fantasy basketball where defense results in points. Categories like “Blocks” and “Steals” offer a way for big-time contributors, especially centers, to have a big impact on your fantasy roster without having to light up the scoreboard.

Wembanyama’s Unique Impact

Wembanyama already packs a unique punch in fantasy leagues because he can post points in addition to defending. But he’s extra unique since he adds roughly one steal per game, which is rare for a player towering over seven feet tall. The mix of size and skill only makes him more of a fantasy asset.

Category League Boost

Not surprisingly, Wembanyama is a popular pick across different fantasy league formats. However, he really excels in category leagues where his regular production on defense can take center stage and not be dependent on his scoring abilities. He’s especially valuable in H2H leagues, but he can also be a strong Roto league asset if he doesn’t miss much more time this season. (More on that in just a bit.)

Even elite scorers struggle to finish when Victor Wembanyama patrols the paint.Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Rest-of-Season Fantasy Outlook

Projected Stats and Rank

Wembanyama has started 2026 with a bang, despite some early knee issues. His elite play through four games has his fantasy stock trending upward. With improved durability, he remains a top-five player across fantasy leagues.

Spurs Team Context

The big man clocks big minutes for San Antonio, and his production is keeping up with his on-court time. He has led the Spurs in points in three of the four games he has played, while also leading the way in blocks and defensive rebounds.

Health and Minutes Watch

Like all big fish in the fantasy pond, Wembanyama carries some risk. He has sustained some injuries this season, so managers should stay up-to-date about any health concerns. (Knee flare-ups, the calf strain resurfacing, all that jazz.) Wembanyama could also get a night off for load management since he clocks big minutes for San Antonio, so keeping tabs on the Spurs’ schedule can help fantasy managers.

Strategy for Wembanyama Owners

Punt Builds Around Him

For the newcomers in fantasy managerial roles: Punting is a draft strategy where you intentionally ignore certain statistical categories to focus more heavily on others. In Wembanyama’s case, fantasy managers may choose to punt “Field Goal %” and punt “Assists” since the center posts points but isn’t San Antonio’s go-to scoring threat. This way, he can truly shine in those defensive categories.

Trade Value Considerations

We’ll keep this one short and sweet: Only trade Wembanyama if you are going to get another top-tier fantasy player in return. It doesn’t have to be another defensive dynamo either. Unless you’re getting someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in return (we discussed SGA’s growing fantasy value last week), you should hold on to Wemby.

Final Takeaways

Don’t let his absence from the overall stats sheet fool you. Victor Wembanyama’s blocking abilities and overall defense make him fantasy basketball gold. Wemby fantasy owners should monitor his health, but can still feel confident starting him in leagues across multiple formats as the rest of his 2026 campaign looks bright.

People Also Ask

Why are blocks so valuable in fantasy basketball?
Blocks are scarce and hard to stream, so elite shot blockers can swing entire matchups by themselves.

Is Victor Wembanyama the best fantasy defender in the NBA?
Yes. His combination of blocks, steals, and rebounds is unmatched at any position.

Does Wembanyama’s injury history hurt his fantasy value?
It adds risk, but his per-game impact is strong enough to keep him a top-tier asset when active.

What fantasy builds work best with Wembanyama?
Defense-heavy punt builds that emphasize blocks, rebounds, and steals maximize his value.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!