Victor Wembanyama's trajectory suggests he is entering a dominant phase that could redefine individual accolades in the NBA. As he evolves, his capacity for a dual MVP and DPOY run solidifies his standing as the game's premier talent.
PERFORMANCENBA
Why Victor Wembanyama is poised to level up in Year 4 takeover -- and possibly join historic MVP/DPOY company
Wemby, ranked CBS Sports' No. 1 NBA player, is still growing, even after asserting himself as the best in the game When Victor Wembanyama came into the NBA as the No. 1 pick in 2023, the hype, quite literally, couldn't have been any bigger. Wait, you're telling me there's a 19-year-old kid in France who makes seven-footers look small with the skills of a guard? You can imagine the "OK, buddy" snickers, because honestly, if you weren't tapping into the EuroLeague circuit, the idea of this guy sounded inconceivable. Some freakish combination of Kevin Durant and Bill Russell? What are you going to tell me next, that in his third NBA season, he's going to become the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in league history, finish third in MVP voting and go to the Finals, where his team will hold the lead for more than 70% of the total minutes played, by way of a Game 7 road win over the defending champion Thunder? Funny you should ask. As it turns out, that's precisely what Wembanyama accomplished last season despite not being old enough to legally buy a beer until the month before the All-Star break. His learning curve looks like the vapor trail of a rocket ship headed straight for the moon.
By Brad BotkinOctober 13, 2026CBS Sports
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