Victor Wembanyama has added another major milestone to his already remarkable start in the NBA. He became the first player in league history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously. At just 22, the Victor Wembanyama didn’t just edge out the competition, he completely separated himself, receiving all 100 first-place votes.
The award has existed since the 1982–83 season, and even some of the greatest defenders in NBA history never managed a clean sweep. That alone says a lot about the kind of season Wembanyama has just put together. There wasn’t really a debate by the end of it.
A season that left no doubts for Victor Wembanyama
The numbers only strengthen the case. Wembanyama led the league in blocks with 3.1 per game, consistently altering shots and making life difficult for anyone attacking the rim. But it wasn’t just about highlights. Players he defended shot around 40.7 percent from the field, a clear indicator of how effective he was on a possession-by-possession basis.
He also delivered across the board, averaging close to 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and around one steal per game. That combination made him one of the rare players who could dominate both ends of the floor without sacrificing impact on either side.
His presence also changed how the San Antonio Spurs functioned defensively. With him anchoring the paint, they finished among the top defensive teams in the league, something that didn’t look likely before the season began. It wasn’t just individual brilliance, it translated directly into team performance.
In the voting, there wasn’t much competition. Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson were among the closest challengers, but the gap remained significant throughout.
For Wembanyama, this feels less like a peak and more like a starting point. Players rarely reach this level of defensive recognition so early in their careers, and doing it unanimously only raises expectations further. If this season is anything to go by, he isn’t just the best defender right now, he could end up defining this era on that end of the floor.
That said, with him still and the San Antonio Spurs still being in contention for the NBA championship, it would be interesting to see what more does the season hold for him.