San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama became just the second player in NBA history to rack up 200 blocks and 100 3-pointers in a single season, further bolstering his Rookie of the Year case, after Friday night’s home loss to the Denver Nuggets at Frost Bank Center.
Wembanyama, 20, finished the contest with three blocks and one 3-pointer to join Raef LaFrentz as the only players in league history to achieve the milestone.
The Frenchman currently leads the ROY race over Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, so the blocks and 3-pointers combo could cement the award in his favor.
Wembanyama also put up 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals against the Nuggets to keep San Antonio within striking distance until Denver pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Victor Wembanyama wants DPOY next
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Wembanyama’s fellow Frenchman, is favored to win his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.
Wembanyama has had an excellent defensive season this year, but the Spurs haven’t won enough games for him to be considered. Next year, however, he is all in on taking home DPOY.
“Rudy has a very good chance of winning it this year. It would be deserved, but let him earn it now because afterward it won’t be his turn,” Wembanyama said recently.