It hasn’t taken long for San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama to emerge as one of the league’s premier rim protectors.
Averaging a league-best 3.1 blocks per game, the 20-year-old has proven incredibly difficult to score against on the interior, and he provided a perfect example of what makes him such a unique post defender during Monday’s showdown against the Washington Wizards.
Wizards center Daniel Gafford attempted to take a close range shot against Wembanyama from under the rim, but had his shot denied by the Frenchman in a defensive highlight that left the game’s announcer perplexed as to whether it would be registered as a block or a steal.
Wembanyama blocked Gafford’s shot with his left hand before snatching it out of midair, prompting the commentator to ask, “How do you score that? Is that a block or a steal?”
This is getting ridiculous Wemby 🤣 (via @NBA_Philippines, h/t @TheHoopCentral)
pic.twitter.com/a2IZowN0ej— Overtime (@overtime) January 30, 2024
Despite Gafford trying to float the ball up over Wembanyama’s outstretched arms, the rookie was still able to reach up and get a hand on it, using all of his near 8-foot wingspan to secure the block.
Players on Washington’s bench could be seen shaking their heads in disbelief after Wembanyama snatched the shot out of midair, coming away with a truly unique block.
