With March soon approaching, the NBA awards race is heating up. Some of the leading contenders for the Most Valuable Player award include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is currently ranked fourth on the latest edition of the NBA's MVP Ladder. If the 22-year-old were to win the award, he would become the league's youngest MVP in history.
As captured by HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, Wembanyama reacted to the ongoing race.
"I know I'm in the MVP conversations. Of course, it's one of my goals. I think that the main argument for that is the team's success. That's always the first thing. I'm also conscious that I need to press the gas a little bit on the last games of the season to win that award."
Wembanyama was drafted by the Spurs with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The two-time All-Star quickly became a franchise leader for San Antonio.
This season, Wembanyama is averaging 23.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. The French native has built a reputation of being a defensive specialist, averaging a league-high 2.8 blocks per game.
In terms of the MVP odds, Wembanyama has missed 13 regular season games. He can miss four more games before being ruled ineligible for major postseason awards.
As Wembanyama alluded, San Antonio has experienced significant team success this season. With a 43-16 record, the Spurs hold the second spot in the Western Conference standings. The franchise is 1.5 games away from catching the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Spurs have not made a playoff appearance in nearly seven years. While the franchise has not officially clinched a spot, its recent boost of momentum suggests that there is a high probability.
Whether or not Wembanyama is named this year's MVP, he has led the Spurs to one of the strongest runs in recent history.
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