Back on the court after missing the recent reception of the Suns, Victor Wembanyama once again dusted off the history books this Wednesday.

Enough to leave his partners at Spurs speechless in the face of such a level of excellence.

Handicapped by a stubborn injury to his left ankle, he was spared by his team’s medical staff.

It is clear that this did not really affect the latter. Absent against Phoenix on Monday, Victor Wembanyama was able to observe the surprising victory obtained by the Spurs (104-102).

However, don’t think that his teammates weren’t impatiently awaiting his return.

Victor Wembanyama imitates Shaquille O’Neal and continues to impress

Surrounded by a certain uncertainty before the trip to Utah this Wednesday, Wembanyama finally took part in this meeting.

And suffice to say that he took care of his recovery by creating carnage in the new success of San Antonio (118-11).

Carnage notably punctuated by 5 blocks on his part, which led NBA historians to go back to 1993 in their statistical archives:

Victor Wembanyama (221 blocks, 79 steals) becomes the first Rookie to eclipse 300+ combined blocks & steals in a season since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992-93 with 346. pic.twitter.com/ELhjcpP0Hc

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) March 28, 2024

With 221 blocks and 79 interceptions, Victor Wembanyama becomes the first rookie to eclipse the mark of 300 blocks and interceptions accumulated over a season since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992-93 (346).

Yet another feat which therefore allows Wemby to see his name brought closer to that of the illustrious Shaquille O’Neal.

By discovering it, the latter is therefore not likely to change his opinion on the race for the title of Rookie of the Year .

That being said, this feat seems almost logical given the performances to which the young French interior has accustomed us.

This is what Devin Vassell said about him after the meeting:

Devin on Wemby's defense, including the big block late on Hendricks: "It’s just crazy the stuff we ask of him and expect of him, but he’s put himself at that level. We expect it from him night in and night out…He went to go dunk on him and we know that’s not going to happen."

— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 28, 2024

Devin on the Wemby defense, including the big block at the end of the match on (Taylor) Hendricks:

“What we ask of him and what we expect of him is just crazy, but he rose up himself at this level. We expect that from him night after night. »

While he has not even finished his first season in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama already sees himself judged according to historic standards on the defensive level.

It must be said that no rookie has been as intimidating as him since Shaquille O’Neal.