NBA: Victor Wembanyama Named Best Rookie of the Season... Unanimously!

He really is the new ROY in the NBA. This evening, without any real surprise, Victor Wembanyama was named Rookie of the Year (ROY) – French Rookie of the Year – by a jury of experts and journalists. A logical vote as the number 1 of the San Antonio Spurs dominated the debates, hovered over the floors of the United States and captured the hearts of the American public. This accolade rewards a near-perfect opening season in which the only false note is the poor results of his franchise, second last in the Western Conference with 22 wins for 60 losses.

What is more surprising, and truly impressive, is to have chosen … unanimously by the votes of the journalists (99 out of 99). Only five basketball players in the past have accomplished this feat (Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard and Karl-Anthony Towns). “I’m glad it’s finally official,” he responded soberly from Spurs’ training room, on American TV channel TNT. My goal is to help my team win, and for that I have to be good and dominate on the floor. As an athlete, the USA is the best country in the world, everything is done here to succeed. I’m in a bubble, I live a privileged life. This trophy is also for everyone who helps me on a daily basis. »

The first Frenchman to be selected in the first position in the NBA draft – last June – also became the first Frenchman to win this honorary title. Being first wherever he goes seems to be second nature to the native of Chesnay.

His overwhelming dominance is visible in his statistics, his influence on his team’s play, his impact on opponents and his magnetic pull in the rooms and on NBA social networks. Videos of his arabesques have been viewed more than a billion times. He ranks just behind NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

Long in the battle for the title with Oklahoma Thunder center Chet Holmgren (drafted in 2022, but author of a blank season last season due to injury), Wembanyama ended the debates with a second half of the season that was amazing. He was also named the rookie of the month in the Western Conference – his own and Holmgren’s – for the last three trophies of the season (January, February, March), after the first two collected by his rival OKC (November and December).

And now, let’s go to the games!

The numbers don’t lie. Averaging 21.4 points in 71 games (but averaging less than 30 minutes of play), 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks (No. 1 in NBA season), 1.2 interceptions , the “alien” that LeBron James talked about in the fall of 2022 had a unique season for a rookie.

Top performances that allow the French basketball giant to seek another title. The 20-year-old is actually among the three finalists for the trophy for the year’s best defender together with compatriot Rudy Gobert in particular. The result of the vote will be revealed during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.

After a few days in France with his family, Victor Wembanyama returned to San Antonio to begin preparations for the Paris Games this summer. A competition where he will be one of the most anticipated players.