Victor Wembanyama dominated the Rookie of the Year race during the 2023-24 NBA season, quickly living up to his billing as a once-in-a-generation player after being selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs. His main competition, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, faced a challenging debut. After missing what would have been his rookie year, Holmgren’s spotlight was shared with teammates Jalen Williams, who broke out as a potential star, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP candidate.

When Holmgren eventually took to the court, his role was somewhat subdued compared to his teammates, impacting his stats and inevitably setting him up for comparison with Wembanyama, another towering figure whose skills defy traditional basketball roles.

Despite these challenges, former NBA player and analyst Richard Jefferson voiced strong support for Holmgren on his Road Trippin’ Show, suggesting that Holmgren’s numbers could have mirrored Wembanyama’s had their situations been reversed. Holmgren posted averages of 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks over 82 games, contributing significantly to the Thunder securing the top seed in the Western Conference with 57 wins.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama’s rookie season stats stood at 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game, sweeping 99 first-place votes for the award. The pair’s remarkable height and versatile playing style continue to draw comparisons, as both embody the unique “unicorn” archetype in basketball.

Although Holmgren didn’t win the Rookie of the Year, his future in Oklahoma City looks bright, with pivotal roles and significant expectations on his shoulders. For more insights and updates on Holmgren and the Thunder, followers are encouraged to engage with Thunder on SI on social platforms and get to know the team covering these exciting developments.