Victor Wembanyama has been named a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award. He joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic as the other finalists. The league announced the finalists on Sunday night.
Wembanyama’s Standout Season
Wembanyama averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds in 29.2 minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, averaged 31.1 points and 6.6 assists on 55% shooting. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists.
Jokic is a three-time MVP. He became the first player to lead the NBA in assists and rebounds.
Other Award Finalists
Gilgeous-Alexander is also a finalist for the Clutch Player of the Year award. He joins Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray as finalists.
Edwards is a finalist despite falling short of the league’s 65-game minimum. Nominees for the Clutch award were selected by the league’s coaches.
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham also fell short of the 65-game minimum. They were on the ballot for all awards after appealing to the league under the “extraordinary circumstances” clause. Though neither cracked the top three in voting for MVP, they are in line for All-NBA honors.
Defensive Player of the Year
Wembanyama is also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. He led the NBA in blocked shots per game for the third straight season. He is also the favourite to win.
Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson are the other finalists. Thompson led the league in steals.
Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Year
Jalen Duren is a finalist for Most Improved Player. His scoring jumped from 11.8 last season to 19.5 points. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is also a finalist after more than doubling his scoring from last season (9.5 to 20.8). Deni Avdija is the third finalist, after making the All-Star team for the first time and averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe are the finalists for Rookie of the Year.
Coach of the Year
J.B. Bickerstaff, Mitch Johnson and Joe Mazzulla are the finalists for Coach of the Year.
The award winners will be announced starting this week.