At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama is a mesmerizing talent that seems like a character from a video game. Most recently, he had started a firestorm of discussion around the NBA’s MVP and DPOY (defensive player of the year). Nicknamed “Wemby,” “The Extraterrestrial” and “Alien,” Wembanyama has already shown his talents aren’t like anything we’ve seen before in basketball. He’s still recovering from a recent calf strain that’s cost him several games. Now, doubts are being raised about his chances of being able to compete for these notable accolades.
Wembanyama’s unique playing style helps set him apart from every other center in the league. He has an offensive game like that of a 6-6 shooting guard with crossovers and Shammgods in isolation. His shooting range rivals well-known allstars such as Stephen Curry. This further enhances him as a deep threat beyond the arc. Wembanyama is easily leading all rookies in scoring at 26.2 PPG (15th in the entire NBA). On top of that, his shooting numbers are extremely high, with a field goal percentage above 50% and over 85% from the line.
Defensively, Wembanyama is doing things at a historically elite level. He leads the league with an astounding 3.6 blocks per game (BPG), a statistic that sets him apart from his peers. He ranks in the top five among all centers, with an impressive average of 4.0 assists per game. On top of that, he sits in the top ten for three-pointers made, averaging 1.7 makes per game. His jaw-dropping combination of offensive and defensive brilliance renders him a legit candidate for MVP as well as DPOY. If he can maintain similar numbers upon return, he’ll become a strong contender.
As great as his numbers and impact on the floor have been through his first few games, injuries have overshadowed Wembanyama’s start to his career. As of November 17, he was projected to miss at least three weeks due to a strain in his calf. This injury has now led him to miss seven straight games. His long absence is troubling. That may limit his prospect of racking up the stats necessary to effectively compete for MVP or DPOY honors this season.
The odds tell you how scared are people of this. Wembanyama is an extremely longshot to win MVP, as his odds currently sit at +15,000. It’s looking like he might lead the league in two of the big five categories. The prospect of continuing injury problems could muddy his chances.
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