One evening after being introduced as solely the sixth unanimous Rookie of the 12 months, Victor Wembanyama virtually made historical past once more, coming in second for Defensive Participant of the 12 months behind the winner and fellow French large man, Rudy Gobert, who received for the fourth time in his profession, becoming a member of Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the one four-time winners. Wemby completed with 19 first-place votes, 44 second-place votes, and 18 third-place votes.
The outcomes aren’t stunning primarily based on what we already knew from voters who had launched their outcomes, plus it had been made fairly clear that many simply couldn’t convey themselves to vote for a rookie on a backside 10 protection. That being stated, it’s price noting that he was voted as the very best defender within the league by his personal friends in a survey for The Athletic, and it’s not exhausting to know why. Not solely did he lead the league in blocks, shares (steals + blocks) and block proportion, swatting a whopping 10 % of the pictures that got here is approach, however that was regardless of gamers usually making the acutely aware choice to not even give him the chance, like we noticed on this hilarious 3-on-1 scenario towards the Grizzlies late within the season.
Although Wemby wasn’t the winner this yr, he certainly will win it sooner or later. Runner-up continues to be a historic accomplishment for a rookie, and he nonetheless has an opportunity to make historical past on that finish ought to he make the All-Protection 1st staff, which is position-less beginning this season. (In different phrases, 1st staff is the highest 5 defenders within the league no matter place, 2nd staff is the subsequent 5, and so on.) No rookie has ever made the primary staff, and solely Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Manute Bol, David Robinson and Tim Duncan made the 2nd staff of their rookie seasons.
It’s superb how a lot Wemby has completed in his rookie season. Regardless of all of the hype and seemingly unattainable expectations, he managed to exceed them (however don’t inform him that) and has even began producing slightly discuss of potential GOAT standing. Whereas it’s too early for that, there’s no denying that the longer term has not often appeared brighter for a rookie. Assuming his improvement continues to go based on plan, that is in all probability the “worst” model of Wemby we are going to see — a chance that’s virtually too mindboggling to understand.
