Why it's only a matter of time before Wembanyama shatters this 40-year-old NBA record

Victor Wembanyama has had a terrific start to his career with the San Antonio Spurs and has the potential to break the NBA's block record in a single season. Wembanyama currently averages just over 3 blocks per game while also scoring 20.5 points per game along with 10 rebounds per game. He has truly lived up to the hype and has opened the door to a bright future for the Spurs.

Who holds the single-season blocks record?

Mark Eaton currently holds the single-season block record for the NBA. He totaled an outstanding 456 blocks in the 1984-85 season with the Utah Jazz, averaging 5.6 blocks per game. Eaton was also freakishly tall standing at a whopping 7'4 which Wembanyama can obviously relate to. He is regarded as one of the best defensive centers of all time and only few have come close to his record.

Manute Bol came the closest to beating this record in the 1985-86 season with the Washington Wizards which was just a year after Eaton set it. Bol totaled 397 blocks on the year while averaging 5.0 blocks per game. Other honorable mentions were Elmore Smith in 1973-74 and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1989-90.

Smith totaled 393 blocks on the year with the Los Angeles Lakers whereas Olajuwon totaled 376 blocks with the Houston Rockets. These players are all NBA greats so for Wembanyama to even be in a conversation with these legends this early in his career is yet another remarkable achievement.

Wembanyama's historic triple -double proves it's only a matter of time before he challenges the record.

Wembanyama recently posted a triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks which has not happened since 2021. Clint Capela was the last person to have a triple-double with blocks by scoring 13 points, grabbing 19 rebounds, and blocking 10 shots for the Atlanta Hawks against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 21st.

He truly put his talent on display against the Raptors on Monday and his performance proved that he is now a part of some elite NBA territory, especially considering he is a rookie. It has also pinned him as the favorite for the time being to win the KIA Rookie of the Year award where he has the chance to be just the 17th player in NBA history to win the award by averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds.

We are also about halfway through the 2023-24 NBA season, and Wembanyama has totaled 156 blocks on the year.  The NBA has not seen stats like this in a long time and it is going to be fun for fans to see how many blocks he can rack up before this year is over. He may not break the record this time around, but it will definitely be something to look out for as he continues to grow throughout his career.