Victor Wembanyama offered a nice Christmas present to his supporters early. Easily victorious over the Blazers, the Spurs have 15 victories before New Year's Eve for the first time since the 2018/19 season and they are now in the Top 10 of the Western Conference!
Individually, “Wemby” delivered a rare performance: at almost 21 years old (he will be on January 4), he became the 6th player in history to total at least 30 points and 10 blocks in a match, after Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard et Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Against Scott Henderson's Blazers, the rookie of the year 2024 countered seven different players. From Jerami Grant to Deandre Ayton to Shaedon Sharpe to Anfernee Simons. Until this 10th “block” on Deni Avdija at the start of the last period.
An innate ability to keep the ball after the counter
“I want to do even more counterattacks but being consistent in this area would already be a form of progression”explains “Wemby” to the French media. “The attacks adapt. If I counter further and further from the basket, it is precisely because I have fewer opportunities to counter inside”.
Best blocker in the Grand League (3.8 blocks per match), Victor Wembanyama is on an impressive streak of 62 consecutive matches with at least one block. Above all, “Wemby” has a capacity “innate” and who “does not develop”says Mitch Johnson, to keep the ball after having countered his opponent.
“More energetic and more patient in attack” according to his coach, the native of Chesnay was once again a major deterrent to limit the Blazers to 39.4% shooting success and a maximum of 25 points per quarter. “I enjoy a level of freedom I’ve never had before”would like to highlight the best defensive player of October/November in the Western Conference. “For me, it is also the clearest path to improve and reach the highest level. »
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 71 | 30 | 46.5 | 32.5 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 21.4 |
| 2024-25 | SAN | 22 | 33 | 47.7 | 34.3 | 87.1 | 1.9 | 8.2 | 10.1 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 24.5 |
| Total | 93 | 30 | 46.8 | 33.1 | 81.1 | 2.2 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 22.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
Sports
France
