Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama is even more dominant than you may realize

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama has surpassed the hype around him this season, proving he is a dominant force who could soon turn the team into a winner.

As good as he is offensively, Wembanyama may be even better defensively.

Last year’s No. 1 overall pick leads the NBA in blocks (245) and blocks per game (3.6). His blocks through 69 games are one fewer than Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has over his past 142 games spanning two seasons.

On Sunday, Wemby had seven blocks against the Philadelphia 76ers, who beat the last-place Spurs (19-59) in double overtime 133-126. 

“He’s a special man, he’s special,” Philadelphia forward Nicolas Batum said, via ESPN. “It was a good call from (San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich) when he said this may be his worst season. That is the scariest part, this may be the worst Wemby we are going to see in 15 years.”

Sunday was the seventh time this season  Wembanyama has blocked at least seven shots in a game. His season and career high came in February against the Toronto Raptors, when he batted away 10 shots in a 23-point road win. 

If this is the worst version of Wembanyama, the rest of the Association should be terrified of what the future holds. 

Only 20, Wemby may not be done growing — he's 7-foot-4 with an eight-foot wingspan already — so opponents may want to hope he doesn’t add more length to an already-menacing presence.