Is Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama’s to lose?

An exciting first week of action has ended in Las Vegas, Nevada. Top plays from the NBA’s rookie class continue to circulate headlines. The 2k24 Summer League continues to be a perfect outlet for young players to showcase their skills. Owners and fans enjoy watching upcoming players develop their game. It helps storylines unfold and transforms dreams into reality.

Impressive debuts on the Summer League court gave us a glimpse of the future. After a week of basketball, are we convinced Victor Wembanyama will win Rookie of the Year of honors?

NBA: Summer League Debuts Leave Strong First Impressions

Becoming a household name is a common goal the 2023 draft class shares. They’ve endured countless hours of hard work to advance in their professional journey. Maximizing a roster position during the Summer League is often the first step toward a promising career. It grants young hoopers a chance to make lasting first impressions before the intensity of the regular season begins.

On July 3, the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion welcomed the 2023 NBA Summer League participants. Victor Wembanyama was one of many rookies fans were excited to see. His size and skillset combination made him an obvious first-overall pick. Scouts labeled him as a “generational talent,” and it was time to witness it firsthand.

Friday night’s showcase against Charlotte Hornets provided Wembanyama the perfect stage for his debut. Fans in attendance witnessed two of the top five draft selections taking the hardwood for the first time as professionals. Brandon Miller finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. He outshined the No.1 pick, making the most of his reps despite a 76-68 loss.

San Antonio won but grew concerned with their rookie’s subpar performance. Wembanyama scored 9 points – flushing 2 of 13 shot attempts. His eight rebounds and five blocks were noteworthy but weren’t enough to bypass a bad shooting night. San Antonio’s big man was timid against bigger opponents. He made 15 % of his field goals in 27 minutes of action.

NBA: Will Victor Wembanyama’s current skillset be enough to secure Rookie of the Year Honors?

A rough start against the Hornets was not enough to derail the No.1 overall pick’s confidence. His follow-up performance against Portland eased the minds of fans who contemplated the rookie’s potential.

Wembanyama improved his scoring efficiency and continued to dominate the glass. He shot 9-14 from the floor, including two three-point daggers. His 12 rebounds and three blocks were customary and helped San Antonio rally in the fourth quarter. Their efforts came up short, resulting in an 85-80 defeat.

Sunday’s loss was the final Summer League performance for Greg Popovich’s youngest star. The Spurs intend to rest Wembanyama for the remainder of the tournament in preparation for opening night against the Heat on Oct 13. His absence in the final two games will force fans to replay the 54 minutes of action until then.

Impressive performances in this year’s Summer League have given fans and coaches an early look at the next wave of NBA talent. Several rookies are making the most of the Las Vegas showcase. It’s transformed the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year debate into a lengthy discussion.

Choosing an early candidate for such a prestigious honor is almost impossible at this stage in the season. Players are adjusting to schemes and finding their roles on the roster. Their raw talent is unformed and requires time to hone into the final form.

The search for the next rookie phenom has begun, and fans are enjoying the sight. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jaden Hardy are two of the top five scorers in the tournament and could turn into household names this season.

Wembanyama is someone to keep an eye on. He’s averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks during his Summer League stint. There are plenty of potential candidates for rookie of the year, we have to find out who wants it more.