San Antonio Spurs

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled sports browsing to present you this science lesson, courtesy of San Antonio Spurs Rookie of the Year winner Victor Wembanyama.

"Dark matter is like a mass we can't see, but we know it's there because it has influence on gravitational pulls and the speed of gravitational pulls and orbits in every galaxy," Wembanyama told reporters on Saturday when asked about his fascination with dark matter. "It's presence inside galaxies is five times higher than regular, seeable matter. So it's a huge mystery. We can't see it, we can't observe it, but we can observe its influence. So this is dark matter, very sci-fi."

Spurs fans and opponents alike are more than a little familiar with the influence and gravity that Wembanyama provides after his scintillating rookie season. All he did was average 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and an NBA-leading 3.6 blocks per game, all while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three.

All of that, and he's only 20 years old. Wemby is already a shooting star on the court, and off it he probably could school you on all manner of astronomical phenomenons. Get you a rookie who can do it all.

Victor Wembanyama has his mind set on the future, despite a strong rookie season.

The San Antonio Spurs center won the Rookie of the Year Award for his efforts in 2023-24 and received the award Saturday in a ceremony as Scobee Planetarium in San Antonio.

During his acceptance speech, he expressed his gratitude for the honor and said that he wants to build off the momentum and grow with the fanbase and organization.

"I want to keep the momentum going and let everybody know they are a part of the family and a part of the story," Wembanyama said, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN. "I believe in the fans, my teammates, the staff. I believe in them as much as I think they believe in me."

He also noted that "the future is going to be fun" with the franchise, despite the recent struggles.

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks in 71 games as a rookie. In addition to his rookie of the year honor, he was also the league's block champion.

Still, San Antonio was unable to capitalize on the strong play as it went 22-60 and finished 14th in the Western Conference. This was the fifth consecutive year the team has missed the postseason, which is by far the longest playoff drought the franchise has ever endured.

Still, Wembanyama and a rebuilding core should provide hope to a city used to excellence from the team, and his excited attitude should be a positive sign for those fans.

San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama earned the first major individual award of his NBA career on Monday after being named the unanimous Rookie of the Year.

On the heels of that announcement, Wembanyama sat down for an exclusive interview with ESPN's Andrew Lopez, who asked him how much he prioritizes getting individual awards while knowing what they could mean for team success (2:00 mark).

"The most important to me is winning the 'chip, clearly this is what I want to do," Wembanyama said regarding his primary goal of earning an NBA title.

"But those individual awards tell a lot about the path a player takes throughout his career to get to those heights, so I'm dedicated to winning some."

All 99 NBA voters for the ROY award selected Wembanyama for the honor and rightfully so. The generational talent averaged 21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG and 3.6 BPG. He got better as the season went along and ended it with a 34-point, 12-rebound outing to lead the Spurs to a 121-120 win over Nikola Jokić and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

It was a tough year for the Spurs, who went just 22-60. But by the end of the season, San Antonio was figuring it out, going 7-4 to close the year with wins over four playoff teams (Denver, New York, Phoenix, New Orleans).

It's clear that Wembanyama's on track for many major awards over his career. It's a matter of whether the Spurs can construct the team around him to win the ultimate prize, though, in the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

The team's prospects are clearly pointing up, though, with Wembanyama being as advertised and then some coupled with the team's strong finish.

After being named 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, San Antonio Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama was treated to an unforgettable experience.

Fanatics provided an exhibit for Wembanyama where he was able to watch congratulatory video messages from legends who also won Rookie of the Year like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, Grant Hill and Vince Carter:

It was announced on Monday that Wembanyama received all 99 first-place votes for this season's Rookie of the Year, making him the first unanimous winner since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015-16. He beat out fellow finalists Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets to win the award.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Wembanyama was viewed as a generational prospect thanks to his unique combination of skills while standing at 7'4". The 20-year-old delivered on those high expectations, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a league-high 3.6 blocks per game in 71 starts.

While Wembanyama's individual brilliance captivated the basketball world, a lack of talent around him caused the Spurs to suffer another lost season. San Antonio finished 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record and missed the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

With another lottery pick on the way, the Spurs are on the verge of a pivotal offseason. San Antonio reportedly is expected to be aggressive in free agency, so Wembanyama could be set up for even more success next season.

Wembanyama's development will be fun to continue watching, and it's clear that he already has the respect of some of the legends of the NBA.

After one of the most impressive debut seasons ever, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama has won the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

It was revealed Monday that Wembanyama beat out Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets for the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy.

The vote was unanimous for Wembanyama, getting all 99 first-place votes:

This is the third time a Spurs player has won the Rookie of the Year award. David Robinson (1989-90) and Tim Duncan (1997-98) previously took home the honors.

The anticipation for Wembanyama's rookie season was as high as it has been for a player since LeBron James in 2003. He didn't immediately storm out of the gate, but it wasn't long before the 20-year-old was able to show off what is going to make him special for a long time.

Wembanyama became the youngest NBA player ever—and one of only 15 players in league history—to record a 5x5 stat line with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

By some statistical measures, Wembanyama had the greatest rookie season in NBA history. His combined total of 49.4 points, blocks, rebounds, assists and steals per 36 minutes is the best for any first-year player. Spurs legend David Robinson had the previous record with 43.2.

Wembanyama joined Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal with at least 1,000 points and 150 blocks through their first 50 games. He also became the first player ever with 150 blocks, 150 assists and 75 three-pointers in a season, accomplishing the feat in only 48 games.

If the Spurs had been more competitive this season, Wembanyama would have had a strong argument to win Defensive Player of the Year. Their team defensive rating was five points better with him on the floor (116.7) than it was when he was off the floor (121.8).

Wembanyama finished his rookie season averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in 71 starts.

The scary thing for the rest of the NBA is this will probably be the worst version of Wembanyama in the league. He improved by leaps and bounds over the course of his rookie year and will now have a full offseason to work on the areas of his game that are still raw.

Victor Wembanyama may have impressed every objective observer during his rookie season, but he's motivated to do more.

The San Antonio Spurs star told Mike Monroe of The Athletic that he does not think his performance this season exceeded expectations.

"That is not how I feel," Wembanyama said. "Maybe it's the case, but it's not how I feel because I always, every day, try to push harder and do more, get more achievements, more records, more wins. But the next day I always tell myself that I didn't do enough and to push me even more.

"So, it's my first impression that I didn't exceed any expectations, that I should have done more."

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game during his rookie campaign. He was named a Defensive Player of the Year finalist while flashing an improved jumper and better-than-expected playmaking skills on the offensive end.

While the Spurs finished with the NBA's fifth-worst record at 22-60, that didn't much matter as the entire organization came away wowed with Wembanyama's progress.

"I think it would be very difficult for anybody to live up to the expectations that the league and the fans put on him," Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said, via Monroe. "I think every night we saw something different that we had never seen before. Between playing, coaching and being in the front office, I've watched 50 years of basketball and every night I would see something from Wemby I haven't seen before.

"The amount of time he put into developing himself and also supporting the development of his teammates was unbelievable."

Wembanyama's next step will be translating his individual brilliance into team victories. San Antonio is expected to be active this offseason looking for ways to improve the roster. The Spurs could carve out something approaching max space with a roster adjustment or two, and they'll have a high lottery pick for the second straight year.

While this draft class is considered far weaker than Wembanyama's, landing a second in command would be an excellent way for the Spurs to get the ball rolling on a turnaround.

Aliens are real.

That's the message Nike sent in its first marketing campaign for San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The video, which was released Sunday, included Wembanyama's signature "Alien" logo, which was teased in April.

Wembanyama is the heavy favorite for Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and an NBA-best 3.6 blocks.

The most heavily hyped draft prospect since LeBron James in 2003, the 20-year-old has been every bit as good as advertised so far. If anything, he might be ahead of schedule because it's rare when a first-year standout is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.

Nike signed Wembanyama when he was playing professionally in France and getting in early figures to pay off in a huge way. He's already being discussed as somebody who can inherit the mantle as the face of the NBA from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

The Frenchman has yet to receive his own signature shoe, which is all but a formality. Nike has provided some peeks into how that may take shape.

During All-Star Weekend, he donned a player-exclusive pair of the Air Zoom G.T. Hustle 2.

Nike also showcased a concept shoe for Wembanyama in April that was designed by artificial intelligence, though that was far from representative for how his signature kicks will look as a finished product.

"Otherworldly" is an apt descriptor for Wembanyama thanks to his 7'4" frame and a skill set that simply shouldn't work for a player of his size.

It's no surprise Nike is leaning into his singular status as it positions him as the next big thing in its basketball division.

There has been speculation that the San Antonio Spurs could go after Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young this offseason if he's made available for a trade, but one expert believes the team will cast an even wider net.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported on Tuesday that the Spurs will be working hard to fill their need at the point guard position this offseason.

"They're gonna be in play, they're gonna be rumored, they're gonna be talked about with legitimately every top-flight point guard that we're gonna see potentially on the marketplace," Charania said around the 1:00 mark.

Charania pointed out that the Spurs had made calls to the Hawks to explore a deal for point guard Dejounte Murray prior to this season's trade deadline. While Atlanta ultimately held on to its talented backcourt duo, missing the playoffs this year could influence the franchise to make one of them available for a trade, and the Spurs will be ready to swoop in with an offer.

"We don't know yet, will the Hawks be open, are they open for business on Trae Young, what is his future there," Charania said. "But if a guy like that is available, they're gonna express a level of interest. They're gonna express a level of interest in any really top-flight guard in the league."

The Spurs are looking to add an experienced floor general who can maximize the talent of star center Victor Wembanyama. The favorite for this season's Rookie of the Year award has already established himself as one of the most promising young players in the NBA, so adding someone like Young would take San Antonio out of its ongoing rebuild and into playoff contention.

"Victor Wembanyama, what he showed this year, he made it clear that his timeline to winning starts now, and he is very capable and very ready to make that happen," Charania said.

Victor Wembanyama is coming home.

The Rookie of the Year favorite will bring his San Antonio Spurs to his native France next season for a two-game matchup against the Indiana Pacers in Paris, the NBA announced Monday.

"Playing in Paris has been an incredible experience for our organization in the past and we are thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of The NBA Paris Games 2025," said Spurs CEO RC Buford. "Thanks to our deep international history, we are fortunate to have Spurs fans in France, across Europe and around the world. We are excited to continue to honor that legacy by purposefully connecting and engaging with our fans in France on and off the court."

"The Pacers enjoy tremendous support from fans globally, and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the NBA's efforts to continue bringing the game to new generations of fans all around the world," said Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard.

The games will take place Jan. 23 and 25. It will mark the first time the NBA has played two games in Paris in the same season.

Wembanyama was born in Le Chesnay, about 15 miles outside of Paris, and began his basketball career for the youth club of Nanterre 92 at age 10. He made his professional debut for Nanterre 92 in 2019 before playing for ASVEL and Metropolitans 92 in France.

The Spurs drafted Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and he's already established himself as one of the greatest French players to ever play in the NBA. The 7-footer averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year in his rookie season.

The Spurs have a rich history of French players on their roster. Tony Parker became the first French player to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame after spending nearly his entire career in San Antonio, and the Spurs have also employed Boris Diaw, Ian Mahinmi and Nando de Colo in the past.

Mahinmi also spent time with the Pacers.

Indiana will be making its first trip to France, while the Spurs will be playing in their fourth and fifth games in the country.

The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly not interested in a trade for Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young, per NBC Sports' Kurt Helin.

According to Helin, the Spurs don't see Young as a fit alongside Victor Wembanyama, but they might be interested in Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, who played for San Antonio from 2016 to 2022.

The report comes as San Antonio has been linked to Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul. NBA insider Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Spurs could be a potential suitor for Paul should he and the Warriors part ways this summer.

"A potential team to watch, should Paul and the Warriors part ways, is San Antonio," Stein wrote. "Among the early personnel rumbles in circulation: The Spurs could emerge as a Paul suitor if they decide to pursue some veteran know-how on a short-term contract basis to furnish presumptive Rookie of the Year winner Victor Wembanyama with more seasoned help in Year 2."

After a year with the Warriors, Paul could be a free agent if Golden State does not exercise his $30 million player option for the 2024-25 season by June 28. The veteran who thrived in the Los Angeles Clippers Lob City offense could be a perfect match for Wembanyama in his second season.

While Young won't be a free agent this offseason, he could be on the trade market after the Hawks missed the postseason this year. Many NBA insiders believe Atlanta will move on from Young this offseason, including Stein, who reported that there's "a growing belief" that Young will be traded this summer.

"You could also say that there is a growing belief in many corners of the league that Atlanta's preference would actually be shopping Young," Stein wrote.

Since pairing Young and Murray ahead of the 2022-23 season, the Hawks have produced one playoff appearance that ended in the first round and a 41-41 season this year.

Young averaged 10.8 assists per game this season and could be a solid option for a team in the market for a point guard. Trading him could also give Atlanta a key piece to improve next season or valuable picks to help with a possible rebuild.