When San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama unpacked a book at February’s NBA All-Star Game locker room, Denver’s Nikola Jokić gasped: “You really brought a book?” Wembanyama’s response – “I read before every game” – encapsulates why the 21-year-old French center is rewriting NBA stardom. With a historic 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, the reigning Rookie of the Year is dominating both headlines and highlight reels while maintaining habits that baffle veterans.
“He’s either reading or asleep by 9 PM – that tells you where his mind is,”Lakers superstar LeBron James told reporters.
“Wemby’s going to elevate this league for decades.”
Wembanyama’s 2024 campaign shatters expectations:
- First player ever with 400+ 3-point attempts & 170+ blocks before All-Star break
- Projected to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1976) as only players averaging 24/11/4 blocks
- BetMGM’s -250 favorite for Defensive Player of the Year
While admirers fixate on his 7’4” frame, Wembanyama’s cerebral approach stands taller. During All-Star weekend, he:
- Protested a skills challenge loophole despite disqualification risk
- Demanded defensive intensity in an exhibition game
- Maintained reading routine amid global media glare
San Antonio’s 15-40 record obscures their generational cornerstone. 10 losses came by ≤5 points, and February’s De’Aaron Fox acquisition narrowed their play-in gap to 3.5 games. “Defense unlocks everything,” Wembanyama insisted post-All-Star. Partnered with Chris Paul’s playmaking (“We’re building something real,” Paul noted), Spurs opponents now face a 7’4” chess master reading offenses like his beloved novels.
Teammates and rivals alike marvel at Wembanyama’s synthesis of artistry and analysis. “He’s ridiculous – that preparation separates him,” said Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. As Spurs navigate Coach Popovich’s health absence and a brutal travel schedule, their phenom’s dual focus on literature and lockdown defense positions San Antonio – and the NBA – for a thrilling new chapter.