Lakers' Russell: Wembanyama should've won more NBA awards

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell believes Victor Wembanyama deserved to walk away with more than just the NBA Rookie of the Year award last season.

"He should've been Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player (of the Year), Most Improved, All-NBA, MVP," Russell said during an appearance on the "Run Your Race" podcast. "For real, bro. He gonna do some shit."

Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and an NBA-leading 3.6 blocks per game for the San Antonio Spurs in his rookie season.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman earned all 99 first-place votes for the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first unanimous winner of the honor since Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season.

The 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year award went to Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who earned the honor for a record-tying fourth time.