Victor Wembanyama is Crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year
French pivot Victor Wembanyama has been awarded the NBA’s “Defensive Player of the Year” award, a recognition that marks a milestone in his young but promising career with the San Antonio Spurs.
This prestigious award, announced by the league, highlights Wembanyama’s exceptional season, who dominated the court with his defensive skill.
The vote was unanimous by a panel of 100 voters, an unprecedented event since the creation of the award in the 1982-83 season.
Wembanyama accumulated 500 points in the voting, surpassing Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder (239 points) and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons (60 points).
The player, who had already been distinguished as Rookie of the Year in 2024, was a strong candidate for this award in the previous season, but an injury interrupted his participation.
In the current season, the Frenchman averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game, solidifying himself as a key defensive figure in the championship.
His impact was fundamental in the Spurs returning to the playoffs, after seven years, with a 62-20 record in the regular season.
Additionally, Wembanyama is a finalist for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić.
With his combination of height, versatility, and unique skills, the French center continues to redefine the modern game and establish himself as one of the great stars of the NBA.
