Victor Wembanyama, as expected, was announced Monday as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The San Antonio Spurs center had already finished second in the voting in his rookie year and was the favorite last season before a medical problem sidelined him. This time, he left no doubt.
At 22 years old, he becomes the youngest ever winner of the DPOY award.
“The real challenge was to get to the 65 games,” said Wembanyama – in reference to the minimum required to be eligible. “But I’m very happy to win this award and very proud to be the first to achieve it unanimously.”
Total domination in the NBA
Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) finished second and Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) third, both key to their teams securing the lead heading into the NBA Playoffs. However, the choice was never really in doubt.
Wembanyama, at over 2.20 meters tall, led the NBA in blocks for the third consecutive season and established himself as a dominant force on defense, being a constant nightmare for any opposing offense.
“He’s the best player in the world,” said teammate Keldon Johnson.
A historic award
Wembanyama’s award is accompanied by multiple milestones in NBA history:
He is the first winner under the age of 23.
The San Antonio Spurs become the first franchise with four different players to win the Defensive Player of the Year (along with Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard).
He joins Michael Jordan and Robinson as the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and DPOY.
But his most impressive achievement is another: he obtained 100% of the votes.
Since Stephen Curry was the unanimous MVP in 2016, very few players have achieved anything similar. In fact, Wembanyama had already done so as Rookie of the Year 2024, and now he repeats with the Defensive Player of the Year.
No player in at least the last 50 years – and probably in history – had won two major individual awards unanimously.
What’s next for Wembanyama
The Frenchman is also a finalist for the NBA MVP award, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, which virtually guarantees his presence in the All-NBA First Team. In addition, his defensive award automatically places him in the All-Defensive Team.
In total, Wembanyama already has at least four major accolades guaranteed this season.
Even so, the player wanted to highlight the collective work:
“Sometimes teamwork is forgotten. I’m here, in the spotlight, but I’m part of a system. I couldn’t achieve this without my teammates or the coaching staff.”
At just 22 years old, Wembanyama is not only dominating the NBA, but is also building a historic legacy that is just beginning.