Wemby might be the best defender this century

When Victor Wembanyama first arrived in the NBA, expectations were sky-high. Even before he set foot on an NBA court, many analysts and fans predicted he could become the most impactful defender of the modern era—a player whose physical gifts and basketball intelligence might redefine what’s possible on the defensive end. Now, in just his third season, the question isn’t whether he will reach those heights, but whether he’s already there.

Despite injuries likely keeping him out of the running for Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama’s per-minute impact has been so profound that a new defensive standard may be emerging before our eyes. His combination of size, length, mobility, and anticipation is unprecedented, and his effect on games is felt in ways that statistics alone can barely capture.

A Physical Toolkit Unlike Any Other

Standing 7’4” with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is truly a unicorn. His ability to move fluidly at that size is unique in NBA history. He covers ground as a shot-blocker in ways never seen before, often appearing out of nowhere to erase shots at the apex of their arc. Plays that would be impossible for anyone else—recovering to block a putback after contesting a jumper, for example—are routine for Wembanyama.

On the ball, his size and length are the great equalizer. Against elite power drivers like Zion Williamson, Wembanyama can give ground, absorb contact, and still swallow up shot attempts simply by staying vertical. Post scorers find it nearly impossible to finish over him, and his growing strength has made him even more formidable.

Shot Blocking and Rim Deterrence

Wembanyama’s shot-blocking numbers are jaw-dropping. He leads the NBA in block percentage this century, but his true value goes far beyond the shots he swats away. Equally important—if not more so—are the shots he deters from ever being attempted. The mere knowledge of his presence in the paint takes away entire sections of the floor from opposing offenses.

A recent three-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder provided a masterclass in defensive impact. Wembanyama tallied just three blocks across those games, and even had his first game without a block in nearly two years. Yet, the Thunder—who have gone 30-3 against the rest of the league—could not solve the Spurs when Wembanyama was on the floor. OKC’s offense, normally elite, plummeted to numbers that would rank dead last in the NBA whenever he played. Their attempts at the rim were nearly halved, and the psychological effect was clear: players frequently abandoned drives and passes simply at the sight of him.

Aaron Wiggins, for example, twice got downhill only to launch the ball out of bounds rather than challenge Wembanyama. When he did attempt a layup, Wembanyama packed it with authority. The Spurs kept him positioned as the “low man” on defense, allowing him to roam from assignments like Alex Caruso and anchor the paint. OKC’s shooters, unable to capitalize on open looks, shot under 29% from deep during these games, and Caruso started 0-for-9 from three in the final matchup.

The Thunder’s offensive engine, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, struggled to find space and was forced into tough jumpers, often unwilling to involve Wembanyama in the play at all. The entire Thunder offense was shut down by his presence.

Empowering the Entire Defense

Wembanyama’s rim protection allows his teammates to be more aggressive on the perimeter. Spurs guards and wings can press higher, fight over screens, and apply more ball pressure, knowing that if they get beat, the best backline defender in basketball is waiting. It’s a ripple effect that transforms the team’s overall defense.

San Antonio’s roster features plenty of perimeter speed, length, and athleticism, particularly among their best guards. This makes their defense even more suffocating, and Wembanyama’s defensive instincts and IQ are a perfect complement. He rarely falls asleep or allows easy cuts behind him, maintaining awareness and discipline as a full-time helper.

Even in his third year, Wembanyama has shown clear progress in his defensive decision-making and positioning. His ability to execute complex schemes and take away the rim in every way is impressive, especially given his age.

Numbers That Redefine Defensive Impact

The advanced statistics paint a picture of dominance. With Wembanyama on the floor, opposing offenses shoot just 46.6% on two-pointers—a 10.7% drop compared to when he’s off the floor. At the rim, opponents convert only 59.1% of their attempts, an 8.2% decrease, and they attempt just 23.2% of their shots at the rim, a 7.2% drop.

These numbers would make the Spurs, with Wembanyama, the NBA’s best defense in all those categories—better even than Oklahoma City’s, which is currently the best in league history by relative defensive rating. The Spurs post a 106 defensive rating with Wembanyama, 10.2 points better than league average, ranking third-best in NBA history behind only this year’s Thunder and the 1964 Celtics. With Wembanyama off the floor, the Spurs are a slightly below-average defense; with him, they perform like one of the greatest defenses ever.

Wembanyama’s rim deterrence has even surpassed Rudy Gobert’s peak years, adding height and length to Gobert’s already massive frame. When tested at the rim, opponents shoot 11.5% worse than their average when defended by Wembanyama.

The Psychological Effect

One of Wembanyama’s most unique impacts is psychological. Players speed up their releases, alter the arc of their shots, and attempt wild one-handed floaters just to avoid his reach. The effect isn’t limited to the paint—his length and mobility allow him to affect shots all over the floor.

Opponents shoot 10.8% worse than their average when defended by Wembanyama this season, the single biggest differential since the stat began being tracked. Over 100 players defend 10 or more shots per game each season, and none have posted a better mark.

While some of this may be due to shooting luck, Wembanyama’s career numbers suggest it’s more than that. He consistently holds opponents below their averages on shots from 15 feet and beyond, and his ability to block and alter perimeter shots is unmatched.

Perimeter Defense: The Next Evolution

Wembanyama’s perimeter defense is a clear advantage over other elite bigs like Gobert. He’s more adept at generating steals and is slightly more mobile, able to contest shots, switch on screens, and recover to affect plays that would be out of reach for almost anyone else.

A prime example: defending Steph Curry. Wembanyama can pick up Curry, contest an intermediate jumper, chase him around multiple screens, cut off a drive, and then rotate to affect a layup—all in one possession. It’s an alien combination of size, speed, and anticipation.

Compared to the most dominant rim protector of the past decade, Gobert is still more polished, but Wembanyama’s total impact—especially on the perimeter—gives him the edge.

Team Impact and Defensive Playmaking

The “on-off” impact—how much better a team’s defense is with a player on the court compared to off it—shows Wembanyama generating a bigger swing in his first three years than any other top defender this century did over their own three-year peaks.

While this metric can be influenced by lineups and teammates, it’s still extremely impressive that no player’s presence has statistically improved their team’s defense more than Wembanyama’s has with the Spurs.

As a defensive playmaker, Wembanyama is unrivaled. Combining steal and block rates, his “stock” percentage is the highest in recorded history. He also ranks third in defensive rebound percentage, and the Spurs are the league’s best defensive rebounding team when he’s on the floor. Only Gobert matches him in this regard.

Beyond the Box Score

Of course, defense can’t be fully captured in a box score. Many aspects—help rotations, deterrence, communication—don’t appear in conventional stats. But Wembanyama’s combination of playmaking, rebounding, and statistical impact on team defense stands out.

Factor in advanced metrics like opponent field goal percentage and rim deterrence, and Wembanyama’s case as the best defender of the century becomes compelling. The film supports it, showing a player whose rim defense is unlike anything seen in the modern era, and whose perimeter defense is more effective than those who might be comparable as pure interior anchors.

Comparisons with the All-Time Greats

Wembanyama doesn’t have the pure basketball genius and versatility of Draymond Green or Kevin Garnett—two defenders who could guard any position and elevate championship defenses with their adaptability. Nor does he yet match the veteran fundamentals of Tim Duncan or Rudy Gobert, who anchored elite defenses year after year.

But what sets Wembanyama apart is how he changes the geometry of the court. Like Shaquille O’Neal on offense, Wembanyama forces opponents to rethink their entire approach. Shaq pulled defenders into the paint; Wembanyama keeps them out. He’s a one-man defense in the truest sense, capable of lifting poor supporting casts to respectability and elevating good ones to historic heights.

If you asked the Thunder right now who they’d rather avoid in the postseason—Denver with Nikola Jokic, the greatest offensive force, or San Antonio with Wembanyama, the greatest defensive force—the answer might not be so clear.

The Path Forward

Out of respect for the legends, Wembanyama will have to sustain this level over a full season and a playoff run to claim the title of best defensive peak of the century. But there’s every reason to believe he can. Not only is he the most physically gifted defender ever, but he’s also a relentless competitor and worker, improving every year and still only 22 years old.

Considering his trajectory, Wembanyama stands alone in modern NBA history. It’s not a question of “if” but “when” he will be universally recognized as the best defender of this century—and that “when” might just be right now.

Conclusion

Victor Wembanyama’s impact on the defensive end is already rewriting the standards for what’s possible in the NBA. His combination of size, mobility, instincts, and mindset has transformed the Spurs defense, and his presence changes every possession. Whether he’s deterring shots at the rim, altering jumpers on the perimeter, or empowering his teammates to play more aggressively, Wembanyama is the anchor of a new defensive era.

As he continues to grow and refine his game, it’s likely that we’re witnessing the birth of one of the greatest defensive careers in basketball history. And for fans, analysts, and opponents alike, the only question left is how high he’ll climb—and how soon he’ll reach the summit.