Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The NBA has announced that Victor Wembanyama has been named NBA Rookie of the Month for February. This is the second straight month Wembanyama has won the award, making it the first time since Tim Duncan received the award in March and April 1998 that a Spurs player has captured Rookie of the Month honors in back-to-back months.
Wembanyama appeared in all 12 games (all starts) for the Spurs in February, averaging 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, a league-leading 3.92 blocks and 2.00 steals in 28.9 minutes to lead all rookies in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals while ranking seventh in minutes.
On Feb. 12 at Toronto, Wembanyama recorded 27 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks and 5 assists to become the fifth player in NBA history to have a game with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ blocks and 5+ assists, joining Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson and David Robinson. He became just the fourth rookie in league annals to record a triple-double with 10+ blocks since David Robinson in 1990. With 27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 5 steals at the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 23, the 20-year-old became the first Spurs player and youngest player in NBA history to post a 5x5 game. The game also marked just the second 5x5 game ever recorded by rookie in the NBA and just the 15th player in league history. Wembanyama closed out the month becoming the first player in NBA history to record 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and5+ three-pointers made in a game in a 132-118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 29.
During the month, Wembanyama reached 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 blocks to become the third-fastest player in NBA history to record those numbers (David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal). He also became the first player in league history to have 150+ assists, 150+ blocks and 75+ three pointers in the same season.