Ranking the 5 best lockdown defenders on the Spurs roster

2.) Victor Wembanyama

You were 100% correct if you though Victor Wembanyama would make his way onto this list. The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft has a trait that seperates him from everyone else on the roster. So what makes him so special? That would be none other than his elite rim protecting ability.

The Alien led the way defensively for Metropolitans 92 last season, averaging a league-leading three blocks per game. That skill carried over to the states before San Antonio drafted him as he recorded nine blocks in two exhibition matchups against Scoot Henderson and G League Ignite last October.

Wembanyama didn’t stop there. He didn't waste any time making his presence known around the rim at Las Vegas Summer League, swatting five shots in his first outing versus the Charlotte Hornets. He followed that performance up by rejecting three more attempts in the next matchup, bringing his tally to eight blocks in only 54 minutes of action.

One of the charactertics that makes Wembanyama an extraterrestrial is his athletic fluidity compared to most players his size. His lateral quickness allows him to slide his feet with virtually any position on the court, making him a nightmare for every opponent. Let's not forget that his insane length makes it possible for him to block jump shots all the way out to the three-point line.