Latest Spurs’ accomplishment separates organization from other 29 NBA teams

The Spurs' four Rookie of the Year winners since 1976 lead the league. Going back all the way to the NBA/ABA merger, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Victor Wembanyama, and most recently Stephon Castle have all won the award while wearing the silver and black. The Spurs clearly have an excellent organizational ability to identify and draft talent, and these awards prove as much.

San Antonio is notorious for having a well-run organization

Five Larry O’Brien trophies qualify one for that distinction. Those trophies aren’t earned by accident. They take organizational cohesion—from the draft room to free agency to the hardwood.

With four rookie of the year winners, it's easy to see that great talent is being identified, even before they don the uniform.

Some of the choices were obvious. Some were not. Regardless of either facet, the team still must be able to develop drafted players. The Spurs have done that and more.

San Antonio greats are all-time players

David Robinson, known more familiarly as the Admiral, was the Spurs' first Rookie of the Year recipient after the 1989-90 season. Robinson was a no-brainer selection for the Spurs, but had to serve a two-year obligation to the US Navy prior to joining the team, so he was selected first overall in the 1987 draft.

David went on to be selected into the basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and is widely considered one of the greatest Centers in NBA history.

Tim Duncan was the next recipient of the award, who wore silver and black. He won the award after being selected first overall in 1997. The Big Fundamental’s resume speaks for itself, as he won five NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, and is the greatest power forward of all time.

Obviously, with players on the roster, the caliber of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, among others, the Spurs had a run of sustained success until 2019, but have fallen on hard times since.

They didn’t pick first again until 2023 when they chose French phenom Victor Wembanyama. The towering Center is in the process of changing the way the current NBA plays the game and rewarded the Spurs’ trust with winning a Rookie of the Year award. He continues to grow, and the future is bright for him and the team.

The first three Rookie of the Year winners for the Spurs were drafted with the top pick overall in that draft. These were obvious selections with few questions prior to their selections, and plenty of time to vet their fits for the team without having to evaluate many other prospects.

San Antonio showed they're one step ahead of their opponents

The Spurs picked fourth this past season. With that pick, Stephon Castle, they quieted league-wide doubts about being able to develop top picks outside of being selected first overall. They also silenced critics about being able to evaluate talent that will fit the Spurs’ way.

Castle was named the Rookie of the Year this season, marking two consecutive awards for Spurs players. Castle was a bright spot in an up and down season for San Antonio. He was head and shoulders above the rest of the rookie class throughout the season and earned the award.

If the tutelage of Coach Popovich and his league record wins wasn’t enough, it’s clear the front office and the team have continuity in drafting and developing players over the last four decades.

With the second pick upcoming in this draft, the Spurs have another opportunity to showcase their organization and its ability to find gems. The future’s bright.