In a basketball game between San Antonio and the Bulls, 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama did something no one else has ever done before.
He scored 21 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, made four assists, and blocked four shots. This makes him the only player in NBA history to achieve at least 350 points, 50 assists, 50 blocks, and 25 steals in his first 20 games.
Comparing Wembanyama to other big players who started their careers after 1973, he stands out. He’s the best when it comes to assists, which is not common for big guys like him.
Even though Wembanyama has fewer total rebounds than some others, it’s because the game has changed. Big players like him now have to defend farther from the basket, so they’re not always there to grab rebounds.
Shaquille O’Neal, another legendary player, scored more points and blocked nearly 30 more shots in his first 20 games. However, Wembanyama’s overall performance puts him on the same level as some of the greatest big men in NBA history.
Apart from his impressive stats, Wembanyama, at just 19 years and 338 days old, is the youngest player ever to have a game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. He beat the record set by Dwight Howard in 2005.
Despite Wembanyama’s outstanding efforts, the San Antonio Spurs are struggling. They lost 16 games in a row. This is surprising because they have good players. The team is going through a tough time, especially with some experiments in their lineup.
Wembanyama is good at defense, almost at a level where he could win the Defensive Player of the Year award. But it’s tough to get recognition when your team is not doing well. Although he’s not great at shooting three-pointers yet, experts expected this. But with his skills, he could become a top player very soon. As the youngest player to achieve such amazing things, Wembanyama is making a big impact, even if his team is facing difficulties.
Related story: Russell Westbrook Makes NBA History vs. Warriors
Victor Wembanyama left it all on the floor for the Spurs!
🔥 21 PTS
💪 20 REB
🚫 4 BLKWemby becomes the only player to record a 20-PT, 20-REB, 4-BLK game this season. pic.twitter.com/ikBgRq8KDr
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2023
