Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Posted on : 21 Apr 2026 | By : Field Level Media
Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year...
World asks what happened to Iran's 10-point "workable plan'? US extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease shortages from war Police pursuit of man who killed eight kids ends in his death New map throws light on location of Shakespeare's London house Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year (Photo credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images) The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been around since 1983, and in that time, no player has ever received 100% of the first-place votes for the award. Victor Wembanyama is now the first. The San Antonio Spurs superstar center received 100 first-place votes out of a possible 100 to unanimously win the prestigious award, the NBA announced on Monday. Wembanyama, a frontrunner for Most Valuable Player, led the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season in becoming the youngest player to ever earn the award (22 years, 98 days). The two-time All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while chipping in a steal per game for a Spurs team that compiled the second-best record in the league (62-20) and also ranked No. 3 in the league in defensive rating. Wembanyama secured 500 points in the voting and joined fellow Spur legend David Robinson in becoming the only two players since 1991-92 to win the award within their first three seasons. That continues a remarkable tradition: a league-high four different Spurs players have now won the award a combined five times: Alvin Robertson (1986), Robinson, Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016) and Wembanyama. The Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting with 239 points (76 second-place votes), while the Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson finished third with 60 points (nine second-place votes). The Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (41 points) and the Raptors' Scottie Barnes (21 points) rounded out the top five. 'He changes the game so much,' Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter marveled Sunday after Wembanyama's dominant effort in San Antonio's playoff-opening 111-98 victory over Portland. Wembanyama set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff debut, adding two blocks on the defensive end for good measure. --Field Level Media Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama unanimously named NBA Defensive Player of the Year Field Level Media 21st April 2026, 09:55 GMT+11 (Photo credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images) The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been around since 1983, and in that time, no player has ever received 100% of the first-place votes for the award. Victor Wembanyama is now the first. The San Antonio Spurs superstar center received 100 first-place votes out of a possible 100 to unanimously win the prestigious award, the NBA announced on Monday. Wembanyama, a frontrunner for Most Valuable Player, led the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season in becoming the youngest player to ever earn the award (22 years, 98 days). The two-time All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5) while chipping in a steal per game for a Spurs team that compiled the second-best record in the league (62-20) and also ranked No. 3 in the league in defensive rating. Wembanyama secured 500 points in the voting and joined fellow Spur legend David Robinson in becoming the only two players since 1991-92 to win the award within their first three seasons. That continues a remarkable tradition: a league-high four different Spurs players have now won the award a combined five times: Alvin Robertson (1986), Robinson, Kawhi Leonard (2015, 2016) and Wembanyama. The Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting with 239 points (76 second-place votes), while the Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson finished third with 60 points (nine second-place votes). The Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (41 points) and the Raptors' Scottie Barnes (21 points) rounded out the top five. 'He changes the game so much,' Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter marveled Sunday after Wembanyama's dominant effort in San Antonio's playoff-opening 111-98 victory over Portland. Wembanyama set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff debut, adding two blocks on the defensive end for good measure. --Field Level Media Read This Next U.S. stocks edge lower as fears linger about Iran Air Canada to halt JFK flights as fuel costs surge on Iran war Egypt's TMG to build $27 billion city east of Cairo Meta to begin layoffs May 20 as AI push reshapes workforce Apple iPhone shipments jump 20% in China despite market dip Big News Network Big News Network News Agency Midwest Radio Network Mainstream Media BIG NEWS NETWORK.COM Contact & Support Terms & Conditions PRODUCTS & SERVICES News Releases Copyright © 1998-2025 Big News Network All rights reserved. ISSN: 2616-6917