Could San Antonio Spurs rookie forward phenom Victor Wembanyama make the NBA’s 2024 All-Defense First Team? Given what we have seen from the Frenchman in his sole season in the league thus far, it sounds like it might actually be attainable.
But as Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale points out, it is also something that has only happened to a handful of rookies in the history of the Association. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Manute Bol, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan have made an All-Defense team (not even necessarily the First Team) — and that’s it. “Know how many of these newbies earned first-team All-Defense, though?” asks Favale.
“Zero. Zilch. Zip,” emphasizes the B/R league analyst. “Wemby would be the first.”
Report: San Antonio to shut down Devin Vassell, Jeremey Sochan for season due to injury https://t.co/raI3k1Cnw1 pic.twitter.com/L2qXDjdhfI
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“San Antonio’s stinginess with the surefire Rookie of the Year supports the eye test,” he adds. “He can be everywhere, at any time, even when a shot contest or rotation seems out of reach.”
“His IQ is already through the roof, just like his wingspan. He doesn’t get overwhelmed or indecisive when tracking both ends of a pick-and-roll or the cutting and passing lanes behind him.”
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