Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7212188/2026/04/20/victor-wembanyama-nba-defensive-player-of-the-year-award/?source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.cVA.b4gt.VlHiiMPCQmJC

Victor Wembanyama was asked Monday if he would be surprised if he would not soon become the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner.

“Yes, I would,” he said.

He was not surprised Monday evening.

The 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs big man has won the NBA’s 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award, earning all 100 first-place votes from a panel of select media members. The 22-year-old beat out Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson to become the youngest player to win the award since it was first introduced for the 1982-83 season.

He averaged a league-leading 3.1 blocks in 64 games this season, and the Spurs allowed 10.2 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. Opponents shot just 40.7 percent from the field against him and 8.7 percentage points worse than average when he was the closest defender, according to NBA stats, both the best in the league among those who contested at least 500 shots this season.

POCKET_POOL_CHAMP | Cavaliers

137 | 6 hours ago

He’s pretty good

UnusualTarget7661

98 | 6 hours ago

I wouldnt be surprised that chet was also unanimously second place, and that ausar just got the most 3rd place votes out of everyone else

EarthWarping | NBA

74 | 5 hours ago

Chet wasnt however he got ³⁄₄ of the 2nd place votes.

Othersideofcoins | Spurs

62 | 5 hours ago

damn it must be sucks to be chet. He was supposed to be the best 7ft basketball player in this era then he happened to be in the same era with wemby.

everything he does is being compared to wemby. he is lucky he went to okc. imagine if he is in a losing team.

OKC2023champs | Thunder

74 | 5 hours ago

I think Chet’s okay.

All star, ring , all defense, all nba 3rd team this year.

He’s just a different kinda player and he plays that role to perfection.

Papa_Huggies | Spurs

16 | 3 hours ago

He’s a star-level role player.

There’s plenty of those, where their skillset doesn’t let them be a conventional first option (and the 1st point on the scouting report), but they absolutely kill weaker coverage.

Far_Outcome_6540 | Knicks

8 | an hour ago

Chet is All NBA lmao he is not a star level role player. Hes not Wemby but yall disrespect him too much

Papa_Huggies | Spurs

0 | an hour ago

Plenty star level role players get their due. Klay and Dray were both star level role players.

Rodman, Rondo, Ben Wallace were standouts in yesteryear.

Hell, Bill Russell was a star level role player. Basically their roles isn’t to be the main point scorer or point of attack, but they absolutely cover literally everything else

drippinswagu69 | LAL

1 | 32 minutes ago

Thats just a star player then lol when tf has offense been the main point of the game 😂

guess-what-babe | East

2 | 2 hours ago

I don’t see Chet making all-nba this season

OKC2023champs | Thunder

4 | 2 hours ago

Leaked votes have him making 3rd team

Apprehensive-Rain601 | Lakers

11 | 5 hours ago

lol this came across condescending as hell😂can someone explain to me their beef I feel it’s quite one sided this is why I hope they meet in the playoffs.

GhostofSmartPast

11 | 5 hours ago

Youth fiba tournament. I remember cuz I watched the highlights. It was an afterthought to me until Wemby got into the league.

Kaladin_Depressed | Thunder

3 | 4 hours ago

Healthy competition will improve everyone’s game

drippinswagu69 | LAL

-7 | 4 hours ago

are we acting like Wemby wasnt being mega hyped up since FIBA? Spurs fans force the fake rivalry so hard, just be thankful the league gifted yall Wemby

LarBrd33

26 | 5 hours ago

If you’re wondering about Bill Russell, the award didn’t exist until 82-83

dizruptivegaming | 76ers

17 | 6 hours ago

You know, that Wemby guy is a good defender.

Rojoa10 | Mavericks

14 | 6 hours ago

Well deserved for the big man.

SquidwardLover48 | Cavaliers

6 | 5 hours ago

The first of 15 straight

Prudent_Fish1358 | Spurs

3 | 5 hours ago

“I’m not surprised, motherfuckers.”

Horror_Trust1826 | Warriors

5 | 5 hours ago

He deserved it props to him and I hope he stays healthy for the duration of his career

Francisco-De-Miranda | Lakers

5 | 5 hours ago

I think Russell would have managed this at least a couple times if the award existed then, but extremely impressive nonetheless.

Kaladin_Depressed | Thunder

3 | 4 hours ago

Least controversial award ever lol

HereIGoAgain_1x10 | Cavaliers

3 | 2 hours ago

Everyone can say what they want about his height but he seems determined to make the most of his natural gifts, which is what is making him so special. Saw him follow his shot multiple times in his most recent game which is something few NBA players do. His handles and long range shooting take a lot of practice. His ability to finish near the rim. There are just so many skills that take time and effort to become good at, especially at his height.

duncanslaugh

2 | 5 hours ago

Basketball may be a perfect fit for him!

skysurfguy1213

2 | an hour ago

He’s the mvp.

heat_fan_ | Raptors

1 | 6 hours ago

Well deserved for Wemby

Maximum-Class5465

1 | 5 hours ago

I’m training in the Shaolin temple now. That’s insane

NotJoe1232 | Knicks

1 | 6 hours ago

Yeah this brother gonna end the goat debate

YoYoMavaIous | Spurs

19 | 6 hours ago

Lets calm down. He’s in year 3

CrippledBanana | Canada

7 | 5 hours ago

For some reason those sort of comments make me paranoid lol.

HideYourCarry | Celtics

1 | 2 hours ago

I mean they should. It’s pretty clear already that Wemby will either 1. be the GOAT, or 2. get injured too regularly to be the GOAT. So calling it out this early just feels like the biggest jinx possible

ThyDoctor | Supersonics

3 | 5 hours ago

If he keeps on the trajectory maybe.

But hell in the back of my mind I can’t help think that at some point his body won’t be able to keep up. I want to be wrong but the shit he’s doing just breaks my brain.

renhaoasuka | Clippers

3 | 5 hours ago

I think defense he will easily be GOAT. Offense he has work to do but he certainly has the potential to reach it

Color_Rush

-1 | 5 hours ago

If he reaches 4-5 rings, wemby has a clear case. if he wins the finals, he will probably win finals MVP each time.

In the GOAT conversation, what will probably hold wemby back is his scoring/assist accolades, longevity, and whether or not he gets multiple MVPs.

Repulsive-Throat5068 | Lakers

9 | 4 hours ago

The dude hasn’t even won a playoff series yet why the fuck are we talking about “a clear case” IF he wins 4-5 rings?? ?

meteoric_vestibule | NBA

2 | 3 hours ago

I personally have a hard time believing any star gets 4-5 rings in this era of parity, but Wemby has the benefit of having arguably the best front office of all time and lucking into several lottery pick teammates that will be all-NBA within the next couple years. Outside of the Thunder, he has the best shot.

legend023 | Pelicans

-1 | 6 hours ago

Idk about that

[Weiss] Victor Wembanyama becomes the first-ever unanimous DPOY in NBA history. Opponents shot just 40.7 percent from the field against him and 8.7 percentage points worse than average when he was the closest defender.