Victor Wembanyama's early-season struggles have given way to a historic tear, as the San Antonio Spurs center has reshaped his shot diet to dominate inside the paint.
Historic Performance
After a 1-for-13 opening night, Wembanyama has averaged 31.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks on 52% shooting over his last seven games, fueling a six-game winning streak for the Spurs. In a 112-111 thriller over the Dallas Mavericks, he scored the team's final seven points and 11 of their last 13, hitting the game-winning free throw to finish with 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks. He became the first player since Bob McAdoo in 1974 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game, and the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to reach 50 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks. His first-half line of 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks had no precedent in the last 30 years. Wembanyama also joined Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing as the only players with 200-plus points and 30-plus blocks through the first eight games of a season in two consecutive years.
Shot Diet Evolution
The surge coincides with a deliberate shift toward the basket. Through eight games, Wembanyama is attempting 10.1 shots in the restricted area and 12.0 in the paint per game, up from 6.0 and 8.9 last season, while his dunk attempts have nearly doubled to 5.1 per game — putting him on pace to surpass Rudy Gobert's single-season record of 302 dunks. He now takes 42% of his shots within three feet, compared to 33% a year ago. The Spurs are initiating pick-and-rolls lower on the floor, allowing Wembanyama to catch the ball near the rim for alley-oops and putbacks, while spacing the floor with five three-point threats. Though his three-point percentage sits at 24% and his mid-range shooting at 28%, the threat of his perimeter shot keeps defenses honest. In his 52-point game, he made just one three-pointer but converted 15 of 20 shots inside the arc and 19 free throws, exemplifying a more efficient, interior-focused approach.
