Victor Wembanyama Passes Olajuwon For Fifth Longest Streak in NBA Blocks

Victor Wembanyama is one in all many generational skills we have seen within the NBA. A legend within the making, the San Antonio Spurs’ middle grew to become the youngest participant to provide 33 factors, 15 rebounds, seven blocks, and 7 assists on March 13, 2024, in opposition to the Nets.

Wemby, 21, has turn out to be one of the vital recognizable huge males of this period. He typically posts absurd numbers we’ve not seen earlier than. Recently, he made one other historical past after surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon within the blocks streak.

Wembanyama’s All-Star Season Improves His Status

In simply his second yr within the NBA, Wembanyama has already solidified himself as an all-around pressure. Averaging 24.4 factors, 11.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and an NBA-leading 3.9 blocks per recreation, the younger Frenchman earned his first All-Star choice, in keeping with Sports Illustrated.

His defensive dominance has additionally made him the overwhelming favourite for the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year award, as he continues to close down opponents together with his shot-blocking potential.

Although Wembanyama gained the 2023-2024 Rookie of the Year Award, the 7-foot-3 cager thought that he “may do greater than that,” making it one in all his regrets in his early days.

Breaking Records: Wembanyama Passes Hakeem Olajuwon

On Wednesday evening, the Spurs took on the Boston Celtics, going through a troublesome problem in opposition to one of many league’s high groups. Despite trailing by 19 factors at halftime, Wembanyama as soon as once more proved that everybody ought to critically take care of him.

With an early block in opposition to the Celtics, Wembanyama prolonged his streak to 85 consecutive video games with not less than one block, surpassing NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon for the fifth-longest streak in league historical past.

Only Patrick Ewing, Mark Eaton, and Dikembe Mutombo have recorded longer streaks, additional together with Wembanyama’s title among the many best defenders in NBA historical past.

Defensive Dominance: The Next Defensive Player of the Year?

Leading the NBA in blocks for 2 consecutive seasons, Wembanyama has already turn out to be essentially the most feared rim protector within the league. His potential to contest pictures, guard a number of positions, and alter the sport defensively makes him a nightmare for opposing groups.

Given his present trajectory, he’s prone to be a Defensive Player of the Year contender each season for the foreseeable future.

Spurs Struggles, But Wembanyama Continues to Shine

While San Antonio is presently 23-28 and struggling to remain aggressive, Wembanyama stays a brilliant spot for the franchise. The Spurs are understanding on their chemistry, and if that does good, they may not less than be included within the Western Conference playoffs.

Wemby can be the first participant in NBA historical past to succeed in 42 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists, two steals, 4 blocks, and 7 three-pointers in a single recreation.

Meanwhile, Wemby’s former Metropolitans 92 teammate Bilal Couilibaly mentioned that he was impressed together with his good friend’s expertise, however not “too impressed.”

Couilibaly, being a childhood good friend to Wembanyama was simply honest in his expressions. He knew that Wemby could possibly be higher than he was now.