NBA
Wembanyama makes history once again
The Frenchman becomes the first rookie in history to be named to the Best Defensive Lineup of the Year. Another Frenchman, Rudy Gobert, was the most-voted player.
In a season that was already historic, Victor Wembanyma continues to reach new heights never seen before. The young Frenchman from the San Antonio Spurs, who already finished second in the Defender of the Year award, has entered the NBA All-Defensive Team of the Year and is the first rookie player to achieve this distinction. Until now, only five rookies had been in the best defensive league lineups, but all had finished in the second: Tim Duncan (1998), David Robinson (1990), Manute Bol (1986), Hakeem Olajuwon (1985 ) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970).
The following players make up the first team: Wemby, Rudy Gobert from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat, Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans, and Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers. Gobert received all possible votes, securing his seventh selection, all of which were for the first lineup. This also marks Lakers Davis’ fifth selection and his third in the team. Adebayo has five selections, but this is his first time making it to the best team. Jones is making his debut in the defensive quintets.
The second defensive quintet of the season is made up of Alex Caruso (Chicago Bulls), Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic), Derrick White (Boston Celtics), Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics). Among the five most-voted players who have not made it into the All-Defensive teams, three are from Oklahoma City Thunder: Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Tonight, the NBA will announce the Best All-NBA teams of the year. If Wembanyama is selected, he would be the first rookie to do so since Duncan 26 years ago.