Meradith Garcia
Victor Wembanyama averaged a dominant 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.58 blocks per game in his rookie season. He played an average of 29.7 minutes a game.
Indeed, Wembanyama won the recognition Monday by unanimous vote. ROTY's winner is determined by a global panel of sports journalists.
The 7-foot-4 Frenchman is the third player in franchise history to win ROTY. The other two were legendary Spurs David Robison in 1990 and Tim Duncan in 1998.
The award was announced by 1993 Rookie of the Year Shaquille O'Neal on TNT moments before tipoff for the New York Knicks' 121-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
"My goals were always to help my team the best that I could and get better as the year went on," Wembanyama told Shaq and other Inside the NBA commentators. "I knew that in order to do this, I would have to be individually good on the court and dominant. So, it was a huge thing for me and a big thing to get. It's always been really important, so I'm glad it's finally official."
Wembanyama averaged a dominant 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.58 blocks per game. His average playing time was 29.7 minutes. Despite his amazing season, Wembanyama said he's ready to get back to work and continue improving his game.
"There's a lot I want to work on, there's a lot [Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich] wants me to work on and the coaches, so I am excited," he said. "One big thing I can tell you is [I am] already working on my balance and my strength — learning to know my body better."
Wemby may not be done collecting awards this season, though. He's also nominated for Defensive Player of the Year, which will be announced Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CST before the Boston Celtics take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on TNT.
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