Year 1 of the Victor Wembanyama era

Rookie Victor Wembanyama's remarkable first year is coming to a close this Sunday, April 14th when they host the Detroit Pistons. The front-runner for rookie of the year, and is also in the running for defensive player of the year is having one of the best rookie seasons ever.  

We all knew that he was going to be a great NBA player, however I don't think anyone would have predicted he would have been this good right from the start. In honor of the NBA season coming to an end, it has prompt us to take a look back at the incredible season Wemby has had and some of his best highlights.  

Wemby who was the number one pick from the San Antonio Spurs made his NBA debut in a much anticipated preseason game with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The matchup between Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, that is so far shaping up to be the next great rivalry. In the game Wemby had a solid performance putting up 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block while going 8-of-13 from the field.  

His season debut on Oct. 25th, 2023 didn't go as planned due to foul trouble were he only played 23 minutes and finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Just a couple of games later is when he had his first big NBA moment when he came back from 20 points down to beat Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns on the final shot of the game.  

Following that 20 point comeback, on Nov. 2nd, 2023 Wemby followed it up by scoring 38 points. The most by a Spurs rookie since David Robinson in 1990. That highlight would be short lived when on Nov. 5th, 2023 the Spurs lost to the Toronto Raptors which was the start of an 18 game loosing streak making it the worst in franchise history.

On Dec. 8th, 2023 the Spurs made Wemby the starting center after previously being the starting power forward next to Zach Collins.  

Jan. 10th, 2024 was when Wemby posted his first career triple-double scoring 16 points, with 12 rebounds and 10 assists against the Pistons.  

Feb. 12th, 2024 right before all-star weekend, Wemby posted his second triple-double scoring 27 points, with 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. He becomes the first rookie since David Robinson to have a triple-double that included points-rebounds-blocks.

Feb. 23rd, 2024 after the all-star break Wemby posted a stat-line of 27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks, and 5 steals. He becomes the second rookie to record a 5x5, the first player to average a 5x5 over a two-game stretch and the second player to have five steals and five blocks in back-to-back games. The other player to have five steals and five blocks in back-to-back games was none other than Micheal Jordan.  

Feb. 27th, 2024 when the Spurs beat the Thunder and he out-dueled his counter part, Chet Holmgren, he won rookie of the month for February as well as January after Chet won the first two months.

March was filled with many great moments that included a night that he scored 40 points, with 20 rebounds. Also, in the month of March he scored 20 or more points in half of his games and never scored under 10.  

These are just some of the great highlights that he has had in his rookie campaign so far.  

Not only has he had a great rookie season, but he has also become the first player in NBA history to post a certain state line multiple times this year. Like becoming the first rookie to have separate Triple-doubles involving assists and blocks since blocks became a stat in 1973-74. He became the first player to have a triple-double with blocks and multiple three-pointers in a single game.

Those are just two of the many NBA records and becoming the first player to ever post a specific stat line that he has set.  

Wemby who is averaging 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.6 blocks, and has shooting splits of 46.5%/32.6%/79.7%. He is having one of the best rookie seasons ever and is just scratching the surface of the player he will ultimately become in the NBA.