Victor Wembanyama Becomes First Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in History
The Spurs star’s historic DPOY sweep crowns a record-blocking season and extends the franchise’s legacy.
Summary
- Becomes the first player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award by unanimous vote, securing all 100 first-place votes
- Makes history as the youngest recipient of the honor at 22 years old after leading the league in blocked shots for a third consecutive season
- Joins an exclusive club alongside Michael Jordan and David Robinson as the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year during their careers
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama continues to shatter expectations, officially being named the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Earning the accolade on Monday, the 7-foot-4 phenom secured a historic milestone by becoming the first unanimous winner in the award’s decades-long history. At just 22 years old, the French center is the youngest player ever to claim the defensive crown. Commanding all 100 first-place votes, he decisively beat out fellow finalists Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons.
Dominating the paint on a nightly basis, Wembanyama anchored a suffocating San Antonio defensive system. As he led the NBA in blocked shots for a third consecutive season, his imposing wingspan deterred opponents from even attempting to score at the rim. Following a sophomore campaign cut short by a medical condition that prevented him from hitting the league’s 65-game eligibility threshold, the big man rebounded to clear the benchmark this year. His massive presence completely alters the geometry of the court, transforming the Spurs into one of the most formidable units in basketball.
This latest achievement cements his name among the sport’s greatest legends. By securing the prestigious honor, he joins an ultra-exclusive fraternity alongside Michael Jordan and David Robinson as the only athletes to win both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Furthermore, the unanimous victory elevates the Spurs’ organizational legacy, making San Antonio the first franchise to produce four different winners of the award. The elite rim protector now shares that specific team lineage with Alvin Robertson, Robinson, and Kawhi Leonard.
Praise pouring in from within the locker room highlights his unparalleled impact. Forward Keldon Johnson lauded his teammate’s intense work ethic, calling the voting sweep just a small token of what the young star is destined to accomplish. Shifting the credit back to his squad, Wembanyama emphasized that his defensive dominance relies heavily on the overall framework established by the coaching staff. With the defensive hardware already secured, the transcendent talent also remains a prime finalist for the MVP award, competing alongside Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the ultimate individual prize.
