[The Epoch Times, May 09, 2024](Epoch Times reporter Wang Yezhi comprehensive report) The NBA’s “No. 1 pick” this season – 24-year-old Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, recently received unanimous votes. Was elected this year’s “Best Rookie”. The French youngster also became the third player in Spurs history to win this honor.
Record-breaking unanimous vote for Rookie of the Year
In the 2023 draft, the Spurs used the “number one pick” to select center Wenbanyama who is 2.24 meters tall. In the regular season this season, Wenbanyama played in a total of 71 games, averaging 29.7 minutes per game, contributing 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.6 blocks. His field goal percentage was 46.5% and the three-point shooting percentage was 46.5%. 32.5%, free throw percentage 79.6%. He was also elected as the “Rookie of the Month” in the Western Conference in January, February and March this year.
The NBA’s “No. 1 pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama (right), who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. (Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
In his rookie season, Bunyama set a series of NBA rookie records, the most representative of which are: In a game against the Knicks in March this year, he scored 40 points and 20 rebounds. O’Neal (1992-1993) season), he became the first rookie to score 40+20 points, and also became the youngest 40+20 player in history. In April against the Nuggets, he scored 23 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists and 9 blocks, almost achieving a “quadruple double”.
The NBA’s “No. 1 pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama (left), who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. (Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
This season, Bunyama scored a total of 1,522 points, 755 rebounds, 274 assists, 254 blocks and 88 steals, becoming the first person in NBA history to score at least 1,500 points, 250 blocks and hit 100 three-pointers in a single season. A player with 254 blocks, ranking first in the league. Since the league began tracking blocked shots in the 1973-1974 season, he is the second-ranked rookie behind Manute Bol, who set a record of 397 in the 1985-1986 season.
The NBA’s “top pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. The picture shows the moment of Bunyama (No. 1) dunking in the game. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
In addition, Bunyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He is the fourth rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. The first three are David Robinson and David Robinson, who have all entered the Hall of Fame. O’Neal and Mourning.
At the same time, he is also the first unanimously elected Rookie of the Year since Towns in 2016. The previous five unanimously elected Rookie of the Year are: Sampson (1983-1984 season), Robinson (1989-1990 season), Griffin (2010-2011 season), Lillard (2012-2013 season) and Towns (2015-2016 season).
The NBA’s “top pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. The picture shows the defensive moment of Bunyama (No. 1) during the game. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The 20-year-old basketball “monster” has a promising future
At only 20 years old, Wenbanyama is 2.26 meters tall and has a wingspan of 2.44 meters. Such physical conditions are extremely rare in the NBA. What’s even more surprising is that he can dribble and shoot as flexibly as a guard on the court. Before landing in the NBA, he attracted the attention of many stars and experts in the league. LeBron James and Kevin Durant both praised his performance. After all, in NBA history, there has never been a player with such height and such agility.
On the offensive end, Vunbanyama scored with amazing efficiency. Relying on his height and wingspan, he can score in the interior like a man in the pocket; at the same time, his outstanding outside shooting ability also prevents opponents from restricting his scoring by shrinking the interior. His step-back three-point shooting percentage is as high as 46.2%, which is also among the best in the league. Because he can attack from any position, the team’s offensive space is expanded and there will be more scoring opportunities.
The NBA’s “top pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. The picture shows the defensive moment of Bunyama (No. 1) during the game. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) The NBA’s “top pick” this season—24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. The picture shows the defensive moment of Bunyama (No. 1) during the game. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
On the defensive end, Wenbanyama should not be underestimated. He is a complete basketball “monster”. With his long arms and excellent athleticism, he becomes a nightmare for offensive players. He averaged 3.6 blocks per game, leading the league. Not only does he protect rebounds, but he can also reduce the opponent’s scoring efficiency through blocks and steals, thereby interrupting the opponent’s offensive rhythm. There’s no doubt that he ended up on the short list for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).
The NBA’s “top pick” this season – 24-year-old French center Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, was unanimously elected as this year’s “Rookie of the Year”. The picture shows the moment when Bunyama (No. 1) blocked a shot during the game. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
What is gratifying is that Bunyama’s career has just begun and the future is full of infinite possibilities. It is expected that the Spurs will make some moves in the following offseason to introduce an experienced point guard to the new star to help him grow. Chris Paul and James Harden have both become targets for the Spurs. The Spurs hope to develop him into the league’s next superstar.
However, for Bunyama, he also has the biggest challenge to face, and that is injuries. In the history of the NBA, many talented young players have failed to reach the heights expected due to injuries. Bunyama’s height and style of play make him prone to injuries on the court. Therefore, how to maintain one’s own health will become the most important issue that Bunyama will always face throughout his career.
Editor in charge: Zheng Huang#