Highly Anticipated Rookie Season
The San Antonio Spurs’ highly anticipated first overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, is set to conclude his rookie season tomorrow without making an appearance in the final game against the Detroit Pistons. Despite his absence, his rookie stats not only stand out among rookies but also rival those of a select few legendary centers.
Impressive Rookie Stats
Wembanyama has played 71 games with averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game. In total, he amassed 1522 points, 755 rebounds, 274 assists, 88 steals, and 254 blocks.
Elite Company
His performance places him in elite company as the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 1500 points, 250 assists, and 250 blocks in a single season. The only other players to achieve this feat are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5 times), Hakeem Olajuwon (2 times), and David Robinson (2 times), with no player achieving it since the 1993-94 season.
Historic Achievement in Rookie Year
Wembanyama is the only player among them to achieve this feat in his rookie season, marking a historic milestone in his young career.
Injury Management and Absence
Following the Spurs’ recent victory over the Denver Nuggets, where they disrupted the Western Conference standings, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich hinted at Wembanyama’s potential absence in the final game due to right ankle injury management. Now, the Spurs have officially announced his absence from the last game of the season.
Future Prospects
Fans won’t have to wait until next season to see Wembanyama in action again, as he is expected to represent the French national basketball team at the Paris Summer Olympics. His presence in the Olympics offers fans the opportunity to witness him don the national team jersey and compete on the international stage.
Anticipation for the Future
As Wembanyama’s rookie season concludes, anticipation builds for his future performances both in the NBA and on the global stage, where he is poised to leave a significant impact in the basketball world. (Betso88)