Victor Wembanyama reacts to winning DPOY and first unanimous in NBA history

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]I'm gonna do you the honors. I'mma open it up. Let me see who the one is.

[00:00:06]OH, GARY PAYTON from the Seattle Super My 30 years ago.

[00:00:15]>> Broken card.

[00:00:17]>> The winner of the 2026 Kia NBA defensive player of the year is Victor Wby Yama for the San Antonio Spurs. And Victor Webbyama is the first unanimous defensive player of the year in NBA history. Cadet Home coming in at second place with 76 second place votes. Here's the full voting breakdown, but here's what WBY had to say about winning the award. Congratulations.

[00:00:47]Listen, we not enough great things can be said about your approach to the game, one winning this award, but now that you're seeing like the fruits of your labor, all the time that you've put into setting the goals, living up to the expectation, how does it feel to finally get that first big time NBA individual award?

[00:01:05]>> It feels great. You know, my mom's sitting here next to me. She just said something very true.

[00:01:10]>> Oh, mom.

[00:01:11]>> Hey, mom.

[00:01:14]The real struggle the real struggle might have been getting to 65 games, >> but I I'm super super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first ever unanimous.

[00:01:28]>> Vic, talk to us about being a great shot blocker. We know when we all scorers up here on this panel. So when we hit like three or four buckets in a row, like we just going to get that that momentum and keep running off on on scoring. We feel like we're not going to miss any shots.

[00:01:43]What is that for you on the defensive end? Is it getting a block shot? Is getting a steal a defensive stop? What is that for you that shift that momentum where you feel like you just unstoppable on the defensive end?

[00:01:54]>> You know, my job is taking care of people like you guys, >> making sure you don't get the fun you're looking for. But no, it's, you know, I've had the chance to have, uh, you know, great coaches all over my career that have taught me great habits on defense. And my shot blocking, especially since we're talking about it, is something I've been working on forever. So, it's uh, it's probably the area in my game where I feel most comfortable at.

[00:02:21]>> You you talked about I was just talking about you uh, basically letting the world putting the world on notice about you winning this award coming this year.

[00:02:28]Where does that has that mental mentality and confidence come from?

[00:02:34]uh you know high high ambition and honestly I think it we can we often overlook you know the team aspect because you know I'm sitting here uh I happen to be the guy that's put in the spotlight but >> I am part of the system and I couldn't get this award and I couldn't do what I do if it wasn't for my teammates who actually you know do the rotations and allow me to be in the spotlight if it wasn't for my coaching staff you know Sean Sweeney the the defensive coach of our sitting here with us right now, M.

[00:03:05]Johnson as well. You know, it's I fit in a system and I happen to be the guy who benefits from it. But we cannot forget about these guys either.

[00:03:14]>> Well, let me tell you something before we move on. Uh they made that system for a reason, my friend. They know sending it to you is a good idea.

[00:03:22]>> Women, you you we we all know how much of a student of the game you are of the you know, like the history of the game, who came before you, whose shoulders that that you stand on right now. This award is named after uh Hakeim. We you've stated that you know he he he's he's one of your favorite players of all time is somebody that who you admire, who you respect. He's one of your idols, but at 22 years old to have your name on the same trophy that your idol has his name on, how does that feel? Like how does that feel today? What are you like?

[00:03:54]I can see the smile on your face right now. You just you look happy. I'm glad you got this award.

[00:04:00]What what what does having your name on that trophy mean to you personally?

[00:04:06]>> Means everything. You know, I'm I'm smiling because I was just reminding myself of that time when I was actually at Hakeim and looking at this uh plaque, you know, saying basically uh block shots leader all time, right? And he was like, you're going to beat that one day.

[00:04:24]So, you know, one step at a time.

[00:04:27]>> That's the stand. I love it. Congrats, man. Congrats.

[00:04:30]>> Shout out to the family. Many more to come. Yes. One step at a time. Listen, uh, Wimby, tell Mama Elodie, we said, "Hey, we see the families there with you. I'm so happy you guys are able to celebrate this one together and keep putting on a show for us in the postseason. We've been enjoying every single second of Actually, a question I have. Are we all wearing the same suit to game two? What's the plan?"

[00:04:47]>> They have to.

[00:04:49]>> I mean, it's not the plan, but if it's working, we might want to do it every day.

[00:04:54]>> Hold on. Hold on. The question is, who paid for the suits? cuz y'all had the same suit. Louis got the Louis deal.

[00:05:00]Louis, >> I don't even know. I can tell you.

[00:05:04]>> Yeah, keep it hush. I got it.

[00:05:05]>> Hey, well, listen again.

[00:05:06]Congratulations, Wimi. Yes, the first ever unanimous defensive player of the year, Victor Winyama. Again, leading the league in blocks for three straight seasons. And the