Spurs Rookie Victor Wembanyama Maintains Top 10 Ranking in Latest All-Star Voting Returns
Victor Wembanyama isn't an All-Star yet, but he's one step closer to earning that accolade.
All-season long, the question of whether or not the San Antonio Spurs' generational rookie would join the elite group of rookies to be awarded the distinction has hung in the air. And while San Antonio hasn't found as strong of a success as it had hoped for adding Wembanyama to the fold, the 20-year-old himself certainly has.
In fact, it's been enough to keep him solidly in the top-10 for Western-Conference front court All-Star voting at No. 8.
Jan 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles before their game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
© Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Wembanyama has averaged 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 4.2 stocks on the season so far, falling in the top-5 in every major category among rookies except total assists — and leading many of them, it should be added — en route to what's been a stellar season for him.
He's not only proven himself as a reliable scorer, but he's established his presence at the rim as well, becoming a true defensive anchor for San Antonio. And on top of that?
He's positionless. And he knows it.
"I might be the 5 on paper, but I'm the 1 30 percent of the time," Wembanyama candidly admitted of his role with the Spurs. "So, the position doesn't really matter."
Whether he is playing as a center, a power forward or a point guard, the Spurs' rookie has delivered as promised, even putting up almost unthinkable statlines on a minutes restriction. But, in a similar way, he's not focused on what his stats should be, or what he could be doing in full minutes.
He just wants to get better and help his team win games.
"At the end of the day, I'm going to get what I deserve," he said. "Every game is a statement from now on."
Fan voting makes up 50 percent of the final results for NBA All-Star, with the remaining half being split between players and allotted media. The latter category has already been won over by the 7-4 rookie, which leaves the players.
And it seems they're on the same boat, too.
"He’s special," Milwaukee Bucks star and leading vote-getter of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Giannis Antetokounmpo said. "He’s got to stay healthy. ... seeing him play against NBA players and doing the things that he’s doing, it’s pretty amazing. ... Everything that he dreams of is going to happen for him."
"He’s gonna change the game, 100 percent," Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic added. "And he’s already on that path.”
If Antetokounmpo and Jokic's opinions can be generalized to the plethora of other players across the league — which they more-than likely can be — then Wembanyama should be prepping for a weekend in Indianapolis.
And there, he'll only put on a bigger show.
NBA All-Star is set to tipoff on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Gainbridge FieldHouse.
