Victor Wembanyama has achieved an impressive list of accolades over the past year, which includes the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, a position on the All-Rookie team, a first-team All-Defense selection, three Rookie of the Month awards, and an Olympic silver medal.
While these honors are noteworthy, Wembanyama aspires for even greater achievements. As he prepares for his second season as a star player for the San Antonio Spurs, he expresses an ambition for broader success than he has already attained.
“I appreciate all my trophies, whether they are team or individual accolades,” Wembanyama commented. “However, I want each trophy I earn to serve as a foundation for something greater in the future. You can’t build a palace with just one brick; it takes many to create something magnificent.”
To push the Spurs back into playoff contention, Wembanyama will be crucial this season. The Spurs have him officially listed at 7-foot-3, but he appears taller, even though he insists he has not grown. He is aware of the heightened expectations this season, especially since there might not be another player in the league who can match his height.
Last season, he was a unanimous Rookie of the Year and finished as the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year, boasting averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, an impressive 3.6 blocks per game—the highest in the league—and 1.2 steals.
This season, his chances of making the All-Star team appear strong. Conversations surrounding him as a possible MVP candidate have already begun, and he is viewed as a top contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Few players earn such accolades entering their second year, and Wembanyama has certainly earned the hype.
“It’s only a matter of time,” noted Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. “He’s an extraordinary talent and incredibly dedicated. We witnessed that during the Olympics, especially with the pressure on the French team. He consistently delivered in critical moments, particularly in our final matchup. His performance during the last few games was impressive.”
During the Paris Olympics, where all eyes were on him as the hope of a nation for a basketball gold medal, Wembanyama once again proved his mettle. He averaged 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds while being named FIBA’s Rising Star and securing a spot on the All-Star Five, which included notable players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Wembanyama had a standout performance in the gold-medal match against the U.S., scoring 26 points, keeping France competitive despite their defeat as Team USA claimed their fifth straight Olympic title.
This demonstrates that Wembanyama is not on a journey to become a star; he is already there, and the Olympics may serve as a launching pad for his future success.
“Victor was exceptional,” said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who witnessed his talent firsthand during the Olympics. “He improved consistently throughout the tournament and became a formidable force. Players have reaped the benefits from competing in FIBA events, and Victor is no exception.”
Wembanyama draws inspiration from various aspects of basketball. He admires fellow rookie of the year Caitlin Clark from the WNBA, noting, “She was the only college player who left me in awe, and that includes both men’s and women’s basketball.” He is also eager to learn from veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, recently signed by the Spurs.
“Victor puts in an incredible amount of effort,” Paul remarked. “He’s incredibly talented at shooting, passing, and dribbling, along with his defensive skills. It’s all a learning experience for us together.”
As the point guard, Paul’s role is to facilitate Wembanyama’s success on the court. However, this doesn’t mean he goes easy on him outside of it. During a recent table tennis tournament, Paul secured a win over Wembanyama in the semifinals.
This loss didn’t sit well with the rising star, highlighting his competitive nature and determination to improve. Following the match, he expressed, “Today, he’s the best—but that won’t last. I am not particularly experienced in ping pong, but I’ve made significant improvements lately. So, my time to shine is coming.”
Though Wembanyama is still new to the NBA, he continues to develop. The upcoming season holds promise, as he was a tough challenge for defenders last year, and he aims to elevate his game even further.
“A successful season means avoiding the mistakes we made last year and implementing what we’ve learned right away,” Wembanyama explained. “It feels like things are going well because I’ve seen everyone working exceptionally hard over the summer, and I believe that effort will pay off.”