Wembanyama Aims for MVP, Wants No Debate by Season's End

San Antonio Spurs star sets sights on NBA's top individual award

Mar. 24, 2026 at 11:22pm

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Victor Wembanyama, the standout San Antonio Spurs player, has made it clear that he wants to win the NBA's MVP award this season. The 22-year-old has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 blocked shots per game. Wembanyama believes he should be leading the MVP race and is determined to leave no doubt by the end of the season.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's quest for the MVP award highlights his rapid rise as one of the league's most dominant players. The Spurs' success this season, with a 54-18 record and a likely top-2 seed in the Western Conference, has been largely attributed to Wembanyama's impact on both ends of the court. His performance could solidify his status as a generational talent and the face of the Spurs franchise.

The details

Wembanyama is making a three-part case for why he should win the MVP award. First, he believes defense is undervalued in the MVP race, and he is the most impactful defensive player in the league. Second, he points to the Spurs' dominance over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team of the current MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Third, Wembanyama argues that offensive impact is not just about points, but also other factors like playmaking and leadership.

  • The Spurs officially clinched their first Southwest Division title in nine seasons on Monday night.
  • Wembanyama made his case for the MVP award moments after the Spurs' 136-111 win over the Miami Heat.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The 22-year-old star player for the San Antonio Spurs, who is making a strong case for the NBA MVP award this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The current NBA MVP, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers player who has the second-best odds to win the MVP award, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets player who has the fourth-best odds to win the MVP award, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who believes Wembanyama is close to winning the MVP award.

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What they’re saying

“I have thought about it. I think right now there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. I'm trying to make sure that at the end of the season, there's no debate.”

— Victor Wembanyama

“My first one would be that defense is 50% of the game and that it is undervalued so far in the MVP race. I believe I'm the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season, and we dominated them three times with their real team. … The third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”

— Victor Wembanyama

“I think he's close. All those guys you named are deserving; a couple of them already have that award. And I'm very biased. I get to see one of those guys every single night. I get to see him on the practice court. I get to see what he does in the morning. I get to see what does right now after the game. So, I understand my opinion and outlook and perspective is very different than almost everyone else.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

What’s next

The NBA's 65-game rule for major award eligibility could become a factor, as Jokic can miss only one more game before he falls off the MVP ballot, and Wembanyama can miss no more than three more contests.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's quest for the MVP award underscores his rapid rise as one of the league's most dominant players. His performance this season could cement his status as a generational talent and the face of the Spurs franchise, while also highlighting the importance of defense in the MVP conversation.