Victor Wembanyama

Just when you think you’ve seen everything there is to see during Victor Wembanyama’s otherworldly rookie season, the San Antonio Spurs rookie merely uses his 7-foot-4 frame to raise the bar even higher. In a perfect encapsulation of almost everything Year One has offered, Wembanyama introduced the Los Angeles Lakers to everything but the kitchen sink. Vulture-like chasedown blocks that looked eerily similar to those of his Hall of Fame opponents? Check. Off-the-dribble drives and stepback 3-point bombs? You got it. All-encompassing court vision and improved playmaking? Of course. Constructing a box score befitting of both the size of his frame and his potential, the 2023 No. 1 pick poured in 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, five blocks, and three 3-pointers in the loss on February 23, 2024. A walking record-breaker waiting to happen, Wembanyama became just NBA history’s second rookie to achieve a 5x5 game, and No. 22 all-time.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie Year

Rookie Mint