Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The NBA today announced that Victor Wembanyama has been named the Western Conference Kia Rookie of the Month for games played in March. This marks his third straight Rookie of the Month honor, making him the first Spur since Tim Duncan to capture the award three months in a row. Kia became a partner of the San Antonio Spurs during the 2023-24 season.
Wembanyama appeared in 12 games (all starts) for the Spurs in March, averaging 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, a league-leading 3.83 blocks and 1.17 steals in 31.7 minutes to lead all rookies in scoring, rebounding and blocks for the month.
In an overtime win vs. Brooklyn on March 17, he finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds 7 blocks and 7 assists, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (three times), Charles Barkley (1986) and Joel Embiid (2017) as the only players with 30 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 blocks in a game.
During the month, he posted eight double-doubles including a season-high 40 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists vs. the Knicks on March 29, becoming the first rookie with 40+ points and 20+ rebounds since Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93).
The month also included five 30-plus-point games from Wembanyama, which is most for a rookie in a calendar month since LeBron James in Dec. 2003.