Wembanyama Named NBA Defensive Player Of The Year

San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA’s defensive player of the year.

The 7ft 4in French international is the first unanimous winner in the award’s 43-year history, having secured all 100 of the first-place votes.

At 22, he is the youngest player to win the award and the second to do so it their first three seasons, after Spurs legend David Robinson (1991-92).

Wembanyama was the first overall draft pick in 2023 and has led the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season.

The two-time All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5), and claimed a steal per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren finished second with 239 points (76 second-place votes), while Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons was third with 60 points (nine second-place votes).

Wembanyama, who is also a Most Valuable Player contender, helped San Antonio post the second-best record in the regular season (62-20), and their defence was ranked third overall.

Wembanyama starred during his playoff debut on Sunday, and the first round of the postseason continued on Monday, with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking charge against the Toronto Raptors.