Victor Wembanyama makes history by becoming the first Western Conference player to win the Defender of the Month award, an award created this season.
Frenchman from the San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama was named “defender of the month” in the Western Conference, the NBA announced this Tuesday, December 3.
The Habs, No. 1 in the draft in 2023 surrounded by great expectations, is the first player to receive this distinction created this season and is rewarded for the month of November (and the few matches played in October).
Congrats @wemby on winning the @Kia NBA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month! pic.twitter.com/g3F9cdY52I
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 3, 2024
Victor Wembanyama is currently the best blocker in the league (3.6 blocks per game), fourth in contested shots per game (10.1) and eighth in deflected balls (3.3).
Very good start to the French season
He was elected against Toumani Camara (Portland), Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Lu Dort (Oklahoma City), Kris Dunn and Ivica Zubac (LA Clippers), Tari Eason, Amen Thompson (Houston), Draymond Green (Golden State ) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis).
His appointment follows the good start to the season for the French giant (2.24 m), praised in particular for his defensive work, making him the best current blocker in the NBA (3.5 per game on average). The good start to the year for “Wemby” corresponds to a good period for the San Antonio Spurs, 10th in the West with 11 wins and 9 losses after a moribund last season.
This is not the first award that the Frenchman has received since the start of his career. Last year, he was voted Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Rookie First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.