Victor Wembanyama: Can the 7-foot-4 star get on the NBA MVP discussion this year

Victor Wembanyama delivered a stunning debut last season, and fans are excited to see how much more the 7-foot-4 star can achieve in his second year.

The 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year amazed spectators with his unique skills – showing incredible shooting range and the ability to cover the entire court with just a few strides. Whether finishing fast breaks or blocking shots, Wembanyama’s talent is truly something to behold.

In his first season, the Frenchman averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks over 71 games. He led the league in blocks with 254, far ahead of any other player. His 3.6 blocks per game were also better than the 2.4 averages of Brook Lopez and Walker Kessler, who tied for second place.

Wembanyama’s shot-blocking ability is already rare among elite defenders, and considering he achieved this at just 19 years old, it’s exciting to imagine how much better he could get. This season, the Spurs plan to increase his playing time from the 29.7 minutes he averaged last year.

The team will also benefit from new additions. Veteran guard Chris Paul joined the Spurs in the off-season, bringing leadership and experience to the backcourt. Harrison Barnes, a talented and reliable forward, adds strength on the wing, while promising rookie Stephon Castle looks ready to make his mark.

Castle, who was crucial to UConn’s back-to-back NCAA title wins in 2024, joins the Spurs after earning Big East Freshman of the Year honours. The Georgia native averaged 11.1 points on 47.2% shooting in college and will provide valuable defence across both guard positions.

However, the Spurs’ hopes this season will largely depend on Wembanyama’s continued growth, especially in attack. Last season, he shot 46.5% from the field and 79.6% from the free-throw line. He also showed potential from beyond the arc, taking 5.5 three-point attempts per game and hitting 32.5%.

For Victor Wembanyama to become a complete offensive force, he’ll need to improve his three-point shooting. Many of the league’s top big shooters hit over 40% from long range, and Wembanyama has worked hard on his shot over the summer to reach that level. If he can develop a consistent three-point game, the sky’s the limit for him.

Should everything go to plan, Wembanyama might even find himself in the MVP conversation by the end of the season. All eyes are on the young star to see if he can lead the Spurs back to success.