At this time marks a milestone for San Antonio’s rising basketball sensation, Victor Wembanyama, because the younger rookie celebrates his twentieth birthday. The Spurs added a contact of enjoyable to their follow session, with teammates cheerfully wishing him a cheerful birthday. Amidst the lighthearted environment, there was a playful second when teammate Jeremy Sohan, aware of the recording, virtually performed a prank on the Frenchman by making an attempt to pants him.
Nonetheless, let’s take a pause from the festivities to acknowledge Victor’s exceptional achievements throughout his teen years.
The whole lot Wemby did as an adolescent:
— in France:
MVP (2023)Finest Scorer (2023)Finest Defender (2023)Champion (2022)All Star MVP (2022)3x Finest Younger Playerand way more!
— within the NBA:
#1 Draft PickYoungest 20/20 gameLeading league in BPGPosterized half the NBA
Particular. pic.twitter.com/S9xojf65xB
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) January 4, 2024
His success in France was undeniably spectacular and never merely a stroke of luck. Regardless of an absence of great wins to showcase, Wembanyama has had a stellar rookie season, setting quite a few information for youngsters within the NBA.
Victor Wembanyama turns 20 immediately and performed 29 video games as an adolescent. Most factors scored in first 29 profession video games as an adolescent:
1. Kevin Durant – 5852. LeBron James – 5753. Carmelo Anthony – 5514. Victor Wembanyama – 5485. Luka Doncic – 546
— Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) January 4, 2024
On this special occasion, Victor could be showered and spoiled with presents. But, probably the most important current he may obtain is that this: The Spurs are contending with some damage woes, main fourth-year guard Tre Jones to safe his first begin of the season.
Their restricted on-court time collectively this season has seen Tre and Victor set up a powerful chemistry. Wembanyama notably advantages from having a pass-first guard orchestrating performs from the purpose, leading to highlight-worthy moments corresponding to this:
Statistically validating the on-court synergy, Jones has logged 309 minutes taking part in alongside Wembanyama this season, elevating the staff’s internet score to +3.58 with a powerful 114.8 offensive score in response to PBP Stats. Tre has additionally delivered 24 assists to Victor, averaging one help each 12:52 minutes of play—main the staff on this side. Devin Vessel follows with one help each 18:27 minutes, trailed by Keldon Johnson at 20:20, Malaki Braham at 24:15, and lastly, Jeremy Sohan at 34.41 minutes.
Total, the regular steerage of a pure level guard bodes nicely for the Frenchman. On this particular birthday night time, anticipate an array of alley-oops from Jones to Wembanyama once they face off towards the Milwaukee Bucks.
After witnessing Wemby’s unimaginable one-legged three-pointer magic, when will he replicate this wild play within the NBA?
Remarkably, Wemby achieved this stat in almost half the video games performed in comparison with different teenagers.
Victor Wembanyama blocked 91 photographs within the NBA as an adolescent.
Solely 10 different gamers in NBA historical past have blocked 90+ photographs as an adolescent.
Wembanyama did it in 29 video games, the second-fewest video games on the checklist – 60 (Andre Drummond).
— Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) January 4, 2024
The fierce race for Rookie of the 12 months has been an intriguing journey for Victor Wembanyama. But, I discover myself pondering: how pivotal will the Spurs’ remaining report be in putting him inside competition?
Each ROY’s remaining staff report during the last ten years:
23: Banchero – 34-4822: Barnes – 48-3421: Ball – 33-3920: Morant – 34-3919: Dončić – 33-4918: Simmons – 52-3017: Brogdon – 42-4016: Cities – 29-5315: Wiggins – 16-6614: Carter-Williams – 19-63
Simply attention-grabbing… pic.twitter.com/Izw5FJ17hj
— Spurs_Muse (@spurs_muse) January 4, 2024
Within the ongoing rookie race, Victor falls brief to Chet for the second consecutive month within the battle for the Rookie of the Month award.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder forward-center Chet Holmgren and Miami Warmth ahead Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been named the Kia NBA Western and Japanese Convention Rookies of the Month, respectively, for video games performed in December. pic.twitter.com/XGHv5rwFRv
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 4, 2024
However right here’s slightly one thing to think about…
Lastly, on the voting entrance, there’s floor to cowl: Wemby at the moment holds the eighth spot for All-Star voting within the Western Convention frontcourt.