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Victor Wembanyama makes more NBA history with latest award
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama makes more NBA history with latest award

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh  |  Last updated Apr 20, 2026 7:10 PM ET
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San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is really living up to his “Alien” nickname.

On Sunday, Wembanyama led the Spurs to a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals round. Wembanyama scored 35 points, the most ever in a playoff debut for a Spurs player in franchise history.

Now, Wembanyama has been named the KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and he received every first-place vote to become the first-ever unanimous winner since the inception of the award.

Wembanyama stated previously that he would be surprised if he wasn’t the winner of the award, although there is no upset here.

Wembanyama, 22, is also the youngest player to win the award, and he becomes the first to win it in his first three seasons in the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren had 239 total points, but no other player had more than 80 points in the DPOY voting.

Wembanyama was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and he has quickly become one of the best players in the league. The Spurs and Trail Blazers will face off in Game 2 on Tuesday night at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

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

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