Victor Wembanyama is one of the leading candidates to win the Defensive Player of the Year despite still being only a rookie. If he wins it, the San Antonio Spurs star would become the first freshman in NBA history to do so. In front of him, however, is a phenomenal contender, among others his friend and compatriot: Rudy Gobert. From his Gobert, who has already won the award three times (the last in 2021), also has the team record as well as defensive numbers. The center of the Minnesota Timberwolves, third in the West, is maintaining 2.1 stoppages on average e his team’s defense is the best in the league (106 points allowed per 100 possessions).
In his press conference, as he prepared for his return to the court after a few games off due to a minor injury, Wembanyama joked about this very duality with Gobert, but also sent a clear message.
“I know Rudy has a very good chance of winning the award this year, and he deserves it. Let him win it now, because in the next few years it won’t be his turn …” Wembanyama said about Gobert, laughing it off. The Spurs’ long man is already the NBA’s leader in blocked shots, with 3.4 average, even though San Antonio’s team defense is among the worst in the NBA (24th with 115.4 points allowed per 100 possessions), which is why Draymond Green had stated in recent days that in his opinion the Frenchman did not deserve the award this year.
🎙️Victor Wembanyama sur le titre du défenseur de l’année : ” C’est sûr que ça m’intéresse, c’est une récompense que je veux gagner dans le futur “.
” Rudy (Gobert) a de très grosses chances de le gagner cette année. Ce serait mérité mais qu’il le gagne maintenant car après ce ne… pic.twitter.com/TdB99oPEf9
– Théo Quintard (@TheoQuintard) March 14, 2024
Milan, Italy. A graduate in Labor Management and Communication for Organizations from Catholic University, I founded BasketUniverso in 2011. Yes, I root for Orlando Magic and do my best not to hide it.
