After making the playoffs for the first time in seven years, the San Antonio Spurs received more good news as Game 1 looms.
Young star center Victor Wembanyama received a major honor by winning the Professional Basketball Writers Association’s Magic Johnson Award for the 2025-26 season.
The PBWA announced Thursday that the French star is the latest recipient of the award, which honors players who are media-friendly to the core. He beat other nominees, like Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry to the award.
Victor Wembanyama’s Nature With The Media
Wembanyama has had a fantastic season on the floor, averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game across 64 appearances this season. Off the court, he has been described as a fan and media darling, which has culminated in this latest award.
According to a PBWA news release, the award is a mix of a player’s general character in facing the media, and they sought to give such players recognition.
“[The Award] honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans,” it stated.
Wembanyama is the youngest award recipient since Kevin Durant in 2011 and the first player to win it while wearing a San Antonio uniform. The franchise, despite its long history of legendary players, hasn’t produced a winner of the Magic Johnson Award until their young French superstar.
The First Of Many For the Star Big Man?
Historically, the Spurs franchise under longtime coach Gregg Popovich cultivated a more reserved approach with the media. He wasn’t the biggest fan of the media and was sometimes highly controversial.
Tim Duncan, who was known to be a calm superstar, has been described as “stoic” and someone who would rather be anywhere else than engaging with the media.
Wembanyama has a likeable outgoing style, which is always evident when he faces the media. PBWA president Howard Beck agrees that there wasn’t a more deserving winner than the 7-foot-5 star.
“Victor Wembanyama thoroughly embodies the spirit of this award — as a superstar who is just as thoughtful and engaging off the court as he is dominant on the court.”
Wembanyama entered the league with immense hype after San Antonio selected him No. 1 overall in 2023. He was viewed as a generational talent and a future face of the league — which meant more media coverage on him than he would have wished for. However, the 22-year-old superstar has always maintained he was going to be available on all fronts. Both on the court and in facing media duties with a welcoming nature.
This latest award could be one in a long line of honors for the Frenchman, who is also a major candidate for this season’s NBA MVP award. The PBWA would love to have his name come up again when the award is up for consideration next year.
The Spurs open their playoff Game 1 on home court against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night and going by their current form, they will be strong favorites to progress to the next round.
Spurs Star Victor Wembanyama Receives Major Career News Ahead of Playoff Debut