Victor Wembanyama was named on Tuesday – unanimously, like never before – as the best defensive player of the year in the NBA. With an impressive season with the San Antonio Spurs, the French giant is rewarded for his physical impact, devastating blocks, and deterrence power in the paint. Could the MVP title be next?
His mere presence sometimes is enough to discourage his opponents from approaching. Standing at 2.24m, with his mobility, basketball IQ, and endless arms, Victor Wembanyama alone constitutes a massive deterrent. A profile that makes him the most dominant player in the NBA under his own basket. A status now official. As expected, the leader of San Antonio was unanimously elected on Monday night as the best defender of the year in the big American league. A first.
In competition notably with Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City) and Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons), the giant from Yvelines logically won. Best shot blocker (3.1 average per game) and fourth in rebounding (11.5) of the regular season, the 22-year-old Frenchman delivered phenomenal performances in recent months. Leading his franchise to a somewhat unexpected second place in the Western Conference.
Finalist for MVP title
Last year, Wemby couldn’t compete for this trophy after interrupting his season in February due to a vein thrombosis in the shoulder. He becomes the third Frenchman in history to win this prestigious award, after Joakim Noah and Rudy Gobert, who won it four times and is fourth in this 2026 edition.
Now let’s see if he will win the highly coveted MVP title, rewarding the best player of the regular season. Victor Wembanyama is one of the three finalists with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City), last year’s winner, and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), who has already been crowned three times (2021, 2022, 2024). If he wins, the Spurs leader would become the first Frenchman and the youngest player in history to win an MVP title.
An impressive baptism in the playoffs
Last week, the Americans nicknamed him “the alien” and he was rewarded for his ease with the press by being included in the NBA All-Interview team, chosen by a panel of journalists. For his playoff debut, Victor Wembanyama shined in the first match against the Portland Blazers (111-98), scoring 35 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes. A perfect start for San Antonio in the series.
