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United States. French pivot Victor Wembanyama was recognized for the first time in his career as the 'Defensive Player of the Year' of the NBA, after a dominant season with the San Antonio Spurs.
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The league announced that Wembanyama received the award unanimously from a panel of 100 voters, becoming the first to achieve this since the creation of the award in the 1982-83 season. The 22-year-old accumulated 500 points in the voting, surpassing Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder (239), and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons (60). Wembanyama, who had already been chosen Rookie of the Year in 2024, was favored for this recognition last season before a thrombosis in his shoulder interrupted his campaign. In the current season, the Frenchman averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and led the league with 3.1 blocks per game, establishing himself as the main defensive figure of the championship. Furthermore, his impact was key for the Spurs to return to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, after closing the regular season with a 62-20 record. Wembanyama's dominance isn't limited to defense, as he's also among the finalists for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. With his combination of height, versatility, and unique skills, the French center continues to redefine the modern game and establish himself as one of the great NBA stars.
