Victor Wembanyama turned the second participant in historical past to attain greater than 2,270 factors, seize greater than 1,050 rebounds and block greater than 365 photographs in his first 100 NBA video games. The one different participant to take action? One other San Antonio Spurs primary total decide who helped redefine the best way large males play. And like David Robinson earlier than himregardless of large expectations initially, Wemby turned heads early in his profession.
“It’s a whole lot of expertise and a whole lot of errors, a whole lot of struggles. Not sufficient wins in my view, however it’s a hell of an journey,” stated the reigning Rookie of the Yr.
Wembanyama, who turned 21 on Saturday, led the Spurs to a 113-110 victory in opposition to the Denver Nuggets the night earlier than. This introduced San Antonio to 18-16 on the season. They completed 22-60 final yr.
Victor Wembanyama appears to be like again on the primary 100 matches
After the Silver and Black’s first victory in 2025, Wembanyama, who at that time was 21 years outdated in his native France, mirrored on his first 100 skilled matches in america.
“The factor to recollect is that the whole lot goes by shortly, time goes by actually shortly. On the similar time, trying again, 100 video games is a whole lot of expertise when you consider it. In comparison with Chris’s [Paul] profession is nothing.
From be part of Spurs this summer timeChris Paul has not solely been a catalyst for the staff’s fast enchancment, he has additionally served as a mentor to a younger core whose oldest participant final yr was 24 (Keldon J0hnson). At the beginning of this season, Wemby was simply 19 years outdated and now appears to be like again on that point with perspective.
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“Yeah, positive. Within the second, I at all times attempt to push myself in order that sooner or later, my youthful self, I can say, “Okay, he made the best errors.” He had good intentions, he had a great and massive coronary heart. I attempt to not betray my future self.
By any cheap rationalization, the present model of Victor Wembanyama is an ideal match with roughly one and a half NBA seasons underneath his belt. Navigating a brand new fashion of play in comparison with what he had turn out to be accustomed to in France and Europe (to not point out a brand new tradition as an adolescent), the 2023 first-round draft decide has benefited from a historic rookie season. By releasing franchise statistics (generally league-wide numbers) not seen since David Robinson and Wemby matched “The Admiral” unanimously successful Rookie of the Yr honors.
This season, the 7-foot-5 heart is scoring 4 and a half extra factors per recreation than final yr, or 25.9. His three-point capturing share is up 4 factors to 36.2. Defensively, he is forward of his 2023-24 league-leading tempo in blocks, with 3.9 in 34 video games.
“So many habits. It’s much less and fewer about strolling blindly into the forest,” Wembanyama says of his present imaginative and prescient. “Earlier than, it took a whole lot of making an attempt (new issues) and only a lack of expertise.”
Of all of the ideas he shared over the 100 video games of his NBA profession, this may increasingly have been the one which resonated probably the most. As a result of it appears Victor Wembanyama is simply scratching the floor.
“That is only the start.”
