Victor Wembanyama Makes History as First Rookie on NBA All-Defensive First Team

Victor Wembanyama has set a remarkable milestone in NBA history.

The San Antonio Spurs' center has become the first rookie ever to be named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team.

The league made this announcement on Tuesday, revealing that Wembanyama received votes on 98 out of 99 ballots.

Joining Wembanyama on the first team are defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who was the only unanimous selection, Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo, New Orleans Pelicans' Herb Jones, and Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis.

"Coming into this league, obviously he had high expectations because he's 7-3 and shooting step-back 3s.

I think a lot of people paid attention more to that than what he actually did on the defensive end," Adebayo commented on Wembanyama's achievement.

"So, for him to get first-team, first come around, it's obviously a great accolade for him."

The second-team All-Defense selections include Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso, Orlando Magic's Jalen Suggs, Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels, and Boston Celtics' Derrick White and Jrue Holiday.

Gobert's selection marks his seventh All-Defense recognition, all on the first team.

Davis has been selected five times, with three being on the first team. Adebayo has been chosen for the All-Defensive team five times, but this is his first on the first team.

For Jones, it is his first time making the team.

"I feel it's a long time coming, obviously," Adebayo said regarding his first first-team selection. "Just staying in this moment, enjoying it, blessed to be able to be one of the ones selected."

Wembanyama's accomplishment places him among a rare group of rookies who have made the All-Defensive Team.

The previous five rookies who earned second-team selections in their first seasons include San Antonio's Tim Duncan in 1998, the Spurs' David Robinson in 1990, Washington's Manute Bol in 1986, Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon in 1985, and Milwaukee's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970.

The All-NBA team announcement is expected on Wednesday.

Should Wembanyama make that team, he will be the first rookie to do so since Tim Duncan 26 years ago.