Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2024-25 player reviews! The series will look at the players who finished the season with the San Antonio Spurs on guaranteed contracts and who played consequential minutes and/or a vital role (so no two-way players because we hardly saw them this year, and no players who were traded away).
Victor Wembanyama
2024-25 stats: 46 games, 33.2 MPG, 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 35.2 3FG%
Contract Status: 2 years, $30.2 remaining
Age: 22
Victor Wembanyama was well on his way to an All-NBA season before suffering deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, sidelining him for the second half of the year. After improving in seemingly every aspect of his game, making an NBA All-Star team, and leading the league in blocks, Wembanyama had earned his place as a Superstar in the league. If it weren’t for his injury, we’d probably be talking about the defensive player of the year, first or second team All-NBA, and a playoff appearance.
Instead, Wembanyama’s sophomore season will be one defined by “what ifs.” When he did play, he was awesome. He has become the best rim protector in the NBA, continuing to deter players from even attempting shots in the paint. His turnover rate decreased ever so slightly from 16.2 to 13.7, as he learned when to pick his spots. No development was bigger than his three-point shooter. Wembanyama became a sniper from deep for a big chunk of the season. He knocked down 35.2% of his threes on 8.8 attempts per game.
The common criticism of Wembanyama’s game is that he spends too much time away from the basket offensively. 47% of Wemby’s shots came from three-point range this season. He attempted roughly .90% fewer attempts at the rim in year two. But the advantages that Wembanyama creates by spacing the floor from deep at his size will open driving lanes for players like De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle moving forward. Wembanyama is still a force around the basket. His shot selection likely needs to balance out, but his expanded range should only help the Spurs moving forward.
Looking ahead
San Antonio has plenty of assets to put a competitive basketball team around Wembanyama next season. With Fox, whatever they decide to do with the second and fourteenth picks in the draft, Castle, Harrison Barnes, and whoever they decide to acquire this summer, teams won’t be able to send two or three defenders at him all game. We may see Wembanyama make another leap forward in year three as he chases a playoff spot.
The biggest question around Wembanyama’s future is his health. The blood clot in his shoulder is scary. While the Spurs have insisted this is an isolated incident, other players have had promising careers cut short because of the medical issue. It’s fair for fans to be nervous about his future. It’s fair for them to be skittish about him potentially playing for the French national team in Eurobasket this summer. His long-term health is the most important thing for this franchise.
Next season may be the most exciting of Wemby’s career. He’ll play alongside another star in Fox. San Antonio should acquire more shooters this summer to open up the floor around him. If he makes a full recovery, which seems likely, the sky is the limit next year. Wembanyama is extension-eligible in the summer of 2026. He’ll certainly earn the maximum rookie extension and lead the Spurs for many years to come.
Top performance
November 13 vs. Washington Wizards. Career-High 50 points on 8-16 shooting from three.
Final grade: A+
Previous Reviews:
Bismack Biyombo, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham
Blake Wesley
Sandro Mamukelashvili
De’Aaron Fox
Julian Champagnie
Jeremy Sochan
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Chris Paul
Stephon Castle
Devin Vassell