Victor Wembaneyama has attracted a lot of attention since entering the NBA after being drafted with the No. 1 pick last summer.
The 20-year-old had a great second half of the season, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from deep. Within 3 points in 71 games.
Monday night, the NBA announced Wenbanyama won the Rookie of the Year award.
Via NBA Communications: “Victor Wembaneyama is the first French player to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The only other player to earn this honor with the Spurs was David Robinson (1989-90) He is the third person to do so after Tim Duncan (1997-98).
In addition, Wenbanyama became the sixth player in history to win the award unanimously.
He joins Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
From NBA history: “Wenby is the sixth unanimous vote in history and joins:
Ralph Sampson (1983-84)
David Robinson (1989-90)
Blake Griffin (2010-11)
Damian Lillard (2012-13)
Karl-Anthony Towns (2015-16)
The Spurs had a tough season, finishing as the 14th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 22 wins and 60 losses.
They are in rebuilding mode and have missed the NBA playoffs in each of the past five seasons.
That being said, Wembaneyama has the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA someday and has one of the brightest futures in the league.
Before their recent struggles, the Spurs won five NBA championships from 1999 to 2014.
