Victor Wembanyama, a French basketball prodigy, has been named the NBA Rookie of the Year, marking the first time a French player has received this honor. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs, the 20-year-old achieved impressive statistics, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocked shots, and 1.2 steals per game. Wembanyama’s unanimous selection was backed by all 99 first-place votes. His season highlights included becoming the youngest player to achieve a ‘five-by-five’ in a 30-minute span, and he matched records held by NBA legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson in a single game. Wembanyama has expressed his gratitude for the award and his ambition to pursue the Defensive Player of the Year title, as well as participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

In related NBA award news, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has won his third NBA Most Valuable Player award in four seasons. Jokic, from Serbia, joins an elite group of players with his third MVP title, after a season averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. Garnering 79 out of 99 first-place votes, Jokic stood out in the MVP race, which notably featured top contenders from various international backgrounds, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic. This year marks a historical achievement as international players dominated the top four spots in the MVP voting. Jokic’s rise from a 41st overall draft pick to a three-time MVP underscores his remarkable impact on the sport.