Victor Wembanyama leads the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie Team

Victor Wembanyama (Google Images)

The National Basketball Association All-Rookie Team was announced on Monday, with San Antonio Spurs center and power forward Victor Wembanyama of Le Chesnay, France being a unanimous selection. Wembanyama, who was the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was also named the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year on May 6.

What set Wembanyama apart from his peers was his incredible ability to block and become one of the NBA’s most elite defenders. He became only the second rookie ever to lead the NBA in blocks per game (3.6) and total blocks (254). The only other rookie to accomplish the feat was center Manute Bol of Gogrial, South Sudan, who had five blocks per game and 397 total blocks with the Washington Bullets in 1985-86.

Wembanyama’s most notable game came on February 12, 2024 in a 122-99 Spurs win over the Toronto Raptors. That is when he had an impressive triple double. However unlike most triple doubles where players reach double figures in points, assists and rebounds, Wembanyama reached doubles figures in points (27), rebounds (14), and blocks (10).

In 71 games, Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game. He also had a field goal percentage of .465, three point percentage of .325, and free throw percentage of .796.

Four more players were honoured on Monday. They were Charlotte Hornets small forward and second overall pick Brandon Miller of Antioch, Tennessee, Oklahoma City Thunder center and Chet Holmgren of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Miami Heat small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. of Irvine, California, and Golden State Warriors shooting guard Brandin Podziemski of Greenfield, Wisconsin.