Victor Wembanyama is the first to be named to the All-Defensive first team
Victor Wembanyama has been racking up records and accolades in his first season as an NBA pro, but his latest is unlike any other. The Spurs big man recently became the first athlete in league history to make the NBA All-Defensive team as a rookie.
The competition made this announcement last Tuesday afternoon, as the French champions appeared in 98 out of 99 votes. Leading the way for the team was Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who was also joined by the Heat’s Bam Adebayo, New Orleans’ Herb Jones, and purple and gold center Anthony Davis.
When asked about himself, the Miami big man admitted that the young star beat his own expectations. “Coming into this league, he obviously had high expectations because he’s 7-3 and shoots three defenders. I think a lot of people paid more attention to that than what he did when he was defending,” he said of Wembanyama.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is the first player to be selected to the Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team. The NBA has named the All-Defensive Team (First Team and Second Team) every year since the 1968-69 season.
Wembanyama is the sixth rookie to earn a spot in the Kia NBA… pic.twitter.com/GnP8DcQ1zD
– NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2024
“So, for him to get first team, first come, obviously it’s a big honor for him,” added Adebayo, who earned his fifth All-Defensive team, but first as a member of the first team. Jones also made his first-team debut.
When asked about his own, Bam felt it had been a long time coming. “I feel like it’s been a long time coming, obviously,” the Heat star said of his first team’s nod. “Just living in this time, I’m enjoying it, I’m blessed to be able to be one of the chosen ones.”
On the other hand, the Spurs center is now listed as the sixth rookie to make the All-Defensive Team. The only difference is that all five others got second-team caps in their rookie campaigns.
The league is now gearing up for today’s All-NBA team announcement. If the Frenchman makes the list, he will also be the first to be honored with this distinction since Tim Duncan did it back in 1998.
Wemby Believes Rudy Gobert Should Enjoy DPOY Now Because Later ‘It’s Not His Chance’
Rudy Gobert recently established himself as one of the best defenders to ever grace an NBA court, and he has the accolades to back him up. The Minnesota center just picked up his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award on Tuesday, just as his team prepares to play Denver in the Western Conference semifinals.
The French big man now owns a piece of the historic record alongside Hall of Famers Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo, who complete the list of only three athletes with this many DPOYs.
“It is a blessing and a privilege to join this small group,” Rudy told the media when the news broke. “These two guys are legends. Every story is different. I will continue to write mine and try to be the best version of myself every day and enjoy every step of the way. “
His teammate Victor Wembanyama was asked earlier this year if Gobert might win this award, he replied, “He shouldn’t win it now, because after that, it’s not his time anymore,” he said.
