Victor Wembanyama is putting up historic numbers this season with the San Antonio Spurs, and the No. 1 pick had another impressive outing on Sunday.
Wembanyama produced a game-high 33 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocked shots in a 122-115 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets in Austin. He went 14-of-26 from the field, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, in 36 minutes.
The 20-year-old became the first player in history to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocks on 50% shooting from the field. He is the youngest player to reach those numbers in a game, surpassing Shaquille O’Neal (21 years, 321 days).
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is impressed with his performance.
He is a multitalented young man and is going to show us things that none of us have never seen before. He is getting more and more solid, more and more disciplined, and more and more used to the contact that he gets and the attention that he gets. It is a tough position for him to be in but he handles it with class and pretty good smarts.
Wemby put together a HISTORIC performance in the Spurs overtime win against the Nets! 👽
33 PTS | 15 REB | 7 AST | 7 BLK | 14-26 FG
Victor Wembanyama is the first player in NBA history with 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ blocks while shooting 50% FG in a game 📈 pic.twitter.com/W5rtw2RvDT
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2024
Wembanyama is averaging 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 blocks and 1.3 steals on 46.7% shooting from the field in 60 games. He leads the NBA in blocks and also tops the rookie class in points, rebounds and steals this season.
The 7-footer is also the only rookie to register a triple-double (2) this season and leads all first-year players in 30-point games (6); the next closest players are Chet Holmgren and Keyonte George, who each have three such performances.
Wembanyama believes his best is yet to come.
“It is a day-by-day thing, but what is for sure is I’m not even close from being at my best,” Wembanyama said. “I don’t see my progression stopping any time soon, so it is good for my confidence. There is a lot to correct and adjust.”
Wembanyama is the front-runner to win Rookie of the Year after achieving numerous accomplishments, including becoming the youngest player in history to register a 5×5 game and recording a triple-double with blocks. He has also won Rookie of the Month twice.
He has surpassed expectations this season and has turned in an impressive rookie campaign. He appears to be the future of the NBA and wants to continue building on his successful year.
“Looking back on the season, I can see our progression, but also my progression,” Wembanyama said. “Even though it feels like it is little by little every game, when you do it every day after a whole season, it adds up to something big.”
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