Victor Wembanyama’s first season with the San Antonio Spurs has come to a close. The Spurs announced that the 7-foot-4 French rookie won’t be playing in Sunday’s last game against the Detroit Pistons. This wraps up a remarkable year for him, likely leading to him winning the Rookie of the Year award.
His stats for the season: averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and an NBA-best 3.6 blocked shots per game. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich hinted after Friday’s victory over Denver that Wembanyama might sit out the finale, and the team confirmed it on Saturday, citing a right ankle injury as the reason.
“It’s impressive to see how much he’s improved from the start of the season until now,” remarked Denver coach Michael Malone about Wembanyama earlier this month. “He was already talented, but his growth is evident. Popovich has done an excellent job developing him in just one season.”
Wembanyama, who was the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, played in 71 games for the Spurs. The team heads into the final game with a 21-60 record, tied with Portland for the worst record in the Western Conference this season.
He scored 34 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, made five assists, blocked two shots, and hit five 3-pointers in his final game as a rookie, helping the Spurs secure a 121-120 victory against the reigning NBA champions, Denver, on Friday night.
The Spurs made an impressive comeback, overcoming a 23-point deficit to win the game, marking their biggest comeback win of the season. As time ran out, Wembanyama celebrated by spiking the ball.
Reflecting on the win, Wembanyama highlighted its significance for the young Spurs team, emphasizing the importance of such victories for their growth and future success.
He joined an elite group of players, becoming only the fourth player, and the first rookie, to finish a season with at least 1,500 points, 250 assists, and 250 blocked shots. This achievement puts him in the company of NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and former Spurs star David Robinson.
Remarkably, no player had accomplished this feat since the 1993-94 season.
Although Wembanyama’s season with the Spurs has come to an end, fans can expect to see him play again soon. He is anticipated to represent France in the Paris Olympics this summer.
Throughout the season, Wembanyama has expressed confidence in the Spurs’ potential to become contenders once again, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the team’s journey. He looks forward to sharing future successes with the fans, hoping for incredible moments ahead.
