{"id":76473,"date":"2024-05-07T03:35:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T07:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=76473"},"modified":"2024-05-07T03:35:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T07:35:28","slug":"spurs-extraterrestrial-reacts-to-winning-rookie-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/07\/spurs-extraterrestrial-reacts-to-winning-rookie-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs \u2018Extraterrestrial\u2019 Reacts to Winning Rookie of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Monday, San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama<\/a> was revealed as the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, the runaway winner for an award many expected him to take home after a historic rookie season.<\/p>\n

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama entered the league with the more pomp and circumstance than any prospect not named LeBron James<\/a>. His combination of size, fluidity, shooting, and ball-handling ability was what somebody would think of if creating a player on 2K. Yet, as his opponents soon discovered, Wembanyama is very real<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All but unstoppable with two feet in the circle and nearly unguardable beyond the arc due to his height (7-foot-4) and standing reach (9-foot-7), Wembanyama became increasingly comfortable scoring in one-on-one situations as the season progressed. However, his defense stole the show<\/a>. Wembanyama\u2019s musculature may not be imposing but his length and ability to cover ground made players hesitant. His timing and tenacity as a shot-blocker are reasons why he\u2019s a finalist<\/a> for the Defensive Player of the Year Award as well.<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama Reacts to Winning Rookie of the Year Award<\/h2>\n

After winning Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama made an Instagram post thanking everyone in the Spurs\u2019 organization. He also showed his appreciation for his fans and the city of San Antonio, as both welcomed him with open arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one is for my teammates,\u201d Wembanyama writes (h\/t ESPN reporter Andrew Lopez), \u201cfor the entire staff from trainers to coaches, from the chef at the cafeteria to the ushers at the arena every night, for the Spurs organization, for the best fans in the world having our back winning or losing.<\/p>\n

\n

Victor Wembanyama thanking everyone for helping him win the Rookie of the Year in an Instagram post.<\/p>\n

Finishes with thanking the city of San Antonio saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cI found a home here.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/2fnQK8QBbb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) May 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n