Wembanyama named NBA defensive player of year

TL;DR

Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA's defensive player of the year, becoming the first unanimous winner in the award's history. At 22, he is also the youngest recipient and only the second to win it within their first three seasons.

Key points

Victor Wembanyama named NBA defensive player of the year
First unanimous winner in award's 43-year history
Youngest player to win the award at 22
Second player to win within first three seasons after David Robinson

Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama celebrates during the San Antonio Spurs' win over the Portland Trail Blazers in game one of their 2026 NBA play-off series

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 35 points in his play-off debut as San Antonio beat Portland on Sunday [Getty Images]

San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama has been named the NBA's defensive player of the year.

The 7ft 4in France international is the first unanimous winner in the award's 43-year history having secured all 100 of the first-place votes.

At 22, he is the youngest player to win the award and the second to win it within their first three seasons, after Spurs legend David Robinson (1991-92).

Wembanyama was the first overall draft pick in 2023 and has led the league in blocks (3.1 per game) for the third straight season.

The two-time All-Star also averaged career highs in points (25.0) and rebounds (11.5), and claimed a steal per game.

"I'm super, super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first ever unanimous [winner]," he told NBC.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren finished second with 239 points (76 second-place votes), while Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons was third with 60 points (nine second-place votes).

Wembanyama, who is also a Most Valuable Player contender, helped San Antonio post the second-best record in the regular season (62-20) and their defence was ranked third overall.

Q&A

Who is the youngest player to win the NBA defensive player of the year?

Victor Wembanyama is the youngest player to win the NBA defensive player of the year at age 22.

What makes Victor Wembanyama's defensive player of the year win historic?

He is the first unanimous winner in the 43-year history of the award, receiving all 100 first-place votes.

Which player did Victor Wembanyama join as a winner of the defensive player of the year within their first three seasons?

He joined Spurs legend David Robinson, who won the award in the 1991-92 season.