Wembanyama Makes History as NBA’s Youngest Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has achieved a remarkable feat by being unanimously selected as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
At just 22 years old, the towering 7-foot-4 talent has not only become the youngest player to win this award but is also the first ever to receive a unanimous decision. This accomplishment is a testament to his skills.
Wembanyama has faced challenges, both with and without the ball, throughout the season.
He garnered all 100 first-place votes for the honor. In contrast, Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder trailed with 76 second-place votes. Detroit Pistons guard Orser Thompson came in third.
The previous closest player to a unanimous win was Ben Wallace in the 2001-02 season, who received only four out of 120 votes.
Wembanyama is also in the running for the MVP award, which he hopes to add to his growing list of accolades.
Having been a rookie in 2024 when fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert clinched his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, Wembanyama had anticipated that he would take over as the league’s best defender. Despite not winning it last season due to injuries limiting him to 36 games, he has certainly proven his potential this year.
“We know Rudy has a strong chance of winning this year, and that’s understandable,” Wembanyama stated previously. “Let him have it for now, but afterward, it’s my turn.”
His prediction held true as he led the league with 197 blocks, achieving this top ranking for the second consecutive year. He also tallied 66 steals and posted an impressive ERA of 110.4, the second-best in the NBA.
“Everything he has achieved has been earned, not just given,” remarked Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson. Wembanyama takes his work seriously, and it seems this is merely the beginning of what could be a stellar career. He’s a standout player on the court and even more remarkable off it.
Moreover, while turnovers are a significant part of defense, Wembanyama’s impressive reach allowed him to secure the second-most defensive rebounds in the league, averaging 9.5, just trailing Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Wembanyama embodies the dual threat the Spurs envisioned when they chose him as the No. 1 overall draft pick. Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox hinted at how players hesitate to shoot when they’re up against Wembanyama.
“He changes the game—offense and defense,” Fox noted. “Players will often scramble to find a different shot or alter their strategy when he’s on the court.”
The Spurs are making their first playoff entrance since the 2018-19 season and kicked it off strong with a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Wembanyama was instrumental, racking up 35 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks in that game.
