New York, United States—San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama won the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year award, the league announced on Monday, marking the first time a Frenchman has captured the honor.
The 20-year-old center, a 7-foot-4 (2.24m) prodigy, who was the top pick in last year’s NBA Draft, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a league-high 3.6 blocked shots and 1.2 steals a game in his impressive debut campaign.
Wembanyama was a unanimous selection, taking all 99 first-place votes, the first unanimous top rookie pick since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016.
“My goals were always to help my team as best as I could and to get better as the year went on,” Wembanyama told US NBA telecaster TNT.
“I knew that in order to do this I had to be individually good on the court and dominant, so it was a huge thing for me, a big thing to get… It has always been really important and I’m glad it’s finally official.”
Chet Holmgren, a center for Western Conference champion Oklahoma City, was second and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller placed third in the voting.
Under the guidance of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Wembanyama became the third San Antonio player to win the award after fellow big men David Robinson in 1990 and Tim Duncan in 1998.
“Wemby” matched Manute Bol from 1986 as the only rookies to lead the NBA in blocks for a season and said he improved all aspects of his game as the season went along, topping rookies in points, rebounds and blocks.
The San Antonio Spurs standout also made it clear his work has not stopped in the off-season.
“For basketball, there’s a lot I want to work on and a lot Pop wants me to work on, so I’m excited. A big thing I can tell you already is my balance and the use of my strength, learning to know my body better in the space,” Wembanyama said.
While the Spurs struggled to a 22-60 record, second-worst in the Western Conference, “Wemby” became an NBA sensation with amazing feats, living up to his advance billing as a once-in-a-generation talent.
After achieving his first NBA triple double in a January triumph over Detroit, Wembanyama posted his second triple double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocked shots in a February win over Toronto—the first with 20 points and 10 blocks in less than 30 minutes played.
In late March, “Wemby” had a career-high 40 points with 20 rebounds in a victory over New York.
Wembanyama, also a finalist for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, next figures to be selected for France’s Olympic team as the squad plays host to the world’s best in the Paris Olympics.