San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama Loses to Rudy Gobert in DPOY Race But Still Ties NBA Record

Despite falling short of winning DPOY in his first season in the NBA, there is no denying that Wembanyama was a terrifying defensive weapon this season for the Spurs. In fact, his runner-up finish to Gobert in the DPOY award was tied for the best ever by a rookie.

Via HoopsHype:

Victor Wembanyama’s No. 2 finish in the Defensive Player of the Year vote is the best ever by a rookie in NBA history. (Tied with Manute Bol).

Bol finished closely lost in the voting to Alvin Robertson of the Spurs back in the 1985-86 NBA season. Bol had 22 first-place votes, just five short of Robertson’s total. Meanwhile, Gobert got 72 first-place votes to just 19 by Wembanyama. 

San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Has Bright Future Despite DPOY Loss

Still, Wembanyama can be expected to contend for the award for years to come, given the fact that he’s just 20 and has barely scraped the surface of his great potential. This season, Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game.

Aside from being a terrific rim protector, Wembanyama is also a very capable perimeter defender, able to keep up with more mobile ballhandlers and scorers, thanks in large part to his incredible length and quickness for his size.