Over his last three appearances, Victor Wembanyama has amassed 17 blocks, and his season average for blocks per game is nearly on par with the collective team averages of the Jazz, Nuggets, and Bucks.
The NBA is truly blessed to have Victor Wembanyama, a talent bestowed upon us by the basketball deities. This isn’t merely an embellishment, nor an overstatement, especially for a player standing 7-foot-5.
Here’s why:
He’s a genuine anomaly, not merely another typically-sized NBA player who’s likely to earn multiple All-Star nods and have a respectable career – there are many such players. Instead, he possesses astounding height and a level of skill far surpassing any player over 7-foot-2 the league has ever witnessed (no, Ralph Sampson isn’t in his league).
His influence has been immediate, consistent, and undeniably impactful in his debut season. He’s already counted among the league’s elite players, and his team, the San Antonio Spurs, is positioned as one of the best in the league.
His dual-threat capabilities are more balanced than virtually anyone else’s, meaning he’s captivating to watch on both offense and defense.
His potential is so immense that it sparks considerable anticipation and imagination regarding how legendary his career could become.
Finally, and certainly not least importantly: His composure and maturity are rarely, if ever, observed in such young athletes. Essentially, he understands the game.
To encapsulate: Wembanyama is a talent who meets every expectation and is equipped not only to sustain a career for over a decade but also to leave an indelible mark along the way.
He is poised to accumulate Kia MVP trophies in the future… but why not commence this season?
As the Kia Race to the MVP nears its concluding stages, Wembanyama has utterly dispelled any doubts about his preparedness. Yes, he’s only 20, but there’s no requirement for him to patiently await his turn or “pay his dues”—unspoken conventions that often seem to penalize exceptionally talented young players.
Wembanyama is primed for the award now, as the evidence is sufficiently compelling. Should he clinch the honor this season, he would become just the second 20-year-old, following Derrick Rose, to achieve this feat.
And he will have his opportunity. There’s a new No. 1 on the Kia MVP Ladder, and it’s the player who is instrumental in securing victories at both ends of the court and has his team contending for the top seed in the West.
In his pursuit of that accolade, Wembanyama appears to be ahead of schedule. And that timeline, for a player burdened with significant expectations, was already expedited to begin with.
Setting the Stage This Week: A marquee matchup featuring perhaps the finest guards in the NBA, and certainly the highest-ranked on the MVP Ladder, unfolds Thursday when Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander face off (9:30 ET, Prime Video). If they engage in significant defensive matchups against each other, it will provide each an opportunity to showcase their defensive prowess, as both present formidable challenges for any defender. Additionally, the Lakers aim to solidify their position for the No. 3 overall seed in the West, so there’s plenty at stake.
The Stat to Know: Only four players since Michael Jordan have led the NBA in scoring with an average of at least 33 points: Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Dončić, who is currently just above 33 points and on track to achieve this for the second time, matching Harden. Bryant, Harden, and Embiid are all previous Kia MVP recipients, while Dončić is seeking his first.
What They Are Saying: “This season, he’s been able to be in positions and moments of really just taking control … I think now, this season, he’s been able to take more ownership. We all knew he could do it. It’s just when guys get more of an opportunity, they get to show it.” — Jayson Tatum, on Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown, No. 5 on the Ladder.
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Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last week’s ranking: No. 3 ⬆️Season stats: 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.1 blocks
His case: Wembanyama is rapidly evolving into a historically significant defender in an incredibly short timeframe. Typically, mastering the defensive aspect of the game is the most challenging for a young player. Wembanyama is different in that he entered the league possessing strong defensive instincts, and combined with his exceptional size, he is making a colossal impact in this, his rookie season.
He has recorded 17 blocks in his most recent three games, and his per-game average for blocks this season is nearly as high as the team averages of the Utah Jazz (3.8 bpg), Denver Nuggets (3.9), and Milwaukee Bucks (3.9) collectively this season. Crucially, Wembanyama is achieving this despite averaging under 30 minutes each night. His statistics would undoubtedly increase with more playing time. -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 1 ⬇️Season stats: 31.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists
His case: The game has never witnessed a guard average 30 points with such remarkable efficiency. Extending that further — very few big men who have averaged 30 points have matched this level of efficiency. Gilgeous-Alexander also boasts the most 30-point games played in under 30 minutes per game and the fewest turnovers per game among 30-point scorers. This further highlights his historic efficiency.
Essentially, he rarely hinders his team when possessing the ball, whether through missed shots or errors. This directly translates into victories. He is shooting 72% over his last four contests and has registered 30 or more points in 41 games, second only to Dončić. -
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 4 ⬆️Season stats: 27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists
His case: Following a rare and brief period of reduced production after his injury absence, Jokić has resumed a pace only he can maintain (meaning he is a triple-double threat every single night). His last three games, in particular, were classic, if typical, Jokić performances — featuring 23-point triple-doubles in all three, and in the most recent game, he nearly achieved a 20-20-20 stat line. He is one of only three players to ever record that statistical achievement.
Furthermore, consider his recent run of games: in his last two outings, he has compiled 36 assists with only three turnovers. Both performances occurred during a demanding back-to-back stretch that involved the Nuggets crossing a time zone. All told, Jokić is set to become the first player to lead the league in both rebounds and assists in the same season, while also finishing among the top six or seven scorers. -
Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s ranking: No. 2 ⬇️Season stats: 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists
His case: The league’s leading scorer is nearing a triple-double average and is tearing through a scorching March, with games of 60 points, 50 points, and three contests with 40 points. He is averaging an astounding 39.5 points per game over his last 11 matchups. Additionally, he has propelled the Lakers to a prominent position in the West and potential home-court advantage, at least in the initial round of the playoffs.
One factor contributing to this surge is that the Lakers’ defense — and Dončić’s individual defense — has shown improvement since the beginning of the season. He is averaging 2.5 steals over his last 11 games, indicating growth in Dončić’s defensive commitment. He didn’t always prioritize defense, partly due to expending more energy on offense than most. -
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Last week’s ranking: No. 6 ⬆️Season stats: 28.6 points, 7 rebounds, 5.2 assists
His case: There’s something significant to be said for successfully defeating Gilgeous-Alexander and the Western Conference-leading Thunder on Wednesday, and Brown executed it spectacularly. Brown contributed 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a crucial jumper to secure that victory.
However, one game hardly defines his MVP candidacy. Brown has been the primary driving force for the Celtics throughout much of the season during Jayson Tatum’s absence due to injury, and he has Boston within striking distance of the top spot in the East. This guarantees that the final few weeks will be suspenseful in that regard, if nothing else. He ranks fifth in scoring and is among the league’s top rebounding guards.
The next 5:
6. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons ⬇️7. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks ↔️8. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers ⬆️9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers ⬇️10. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves ⬇️
And five more (listed alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets; Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at [email protected], find his archive here and follow him on X.