Wembanyama is on track for crazy stat not seen in almost 30 years

A surprising early-season trend has emerged for the San Antonio Spurs, with the Spurs ranking 10th in defensive rating thus far. Compare that to last season, where they ranked 23rd in that category, and it's clear that Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Victor Wembanyama has made a huge difference.

In fact, Wembanyama is on pace to do something that hasn't been done in nearly 30 years. In 1995-96, the late-great Dikembe Mutombo blocked a staggering 4.5 shots per game and was the last player to swat at least 4 in a season.

However, Wembanyama is currently averaging 3.8 blocks and has strung together some monster block totals. That includes swatting nine against the LA Clippers and seven and six against the Utah Jazz in two recent games against them.

After a slow start to the season, he could improve upon those numbers as his minutes increase. Especially with the Spurs getting players such as Devin Vassell back and later Jeremy Sochan, giving the team more defensive options.

Can Spurs center Victor Wembanyama average 4 blocks per game?

It is surprising that teams seem to keep challenging him, but teams have been far more selective at attacking the rim with him in the game. Even so, he is still winning those challenges at the basket, not to mention he's blocking his fair share of jump shots.

That skill will allow him to accomplish the rare feat since fewer shots are taken in the paint nowadays compared to back in the 1990s, especially with Wembanyama there serving as a rim deterrent. Whether he ends up averaging at least four blocks per game may prove irrelevant, however.

With Wembanyama's main rival, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, now out for 8-10 weeks, he should have little competition to win Defensive Player of the Year. Historically, leading the league in blocks often correlates to winning that award, and Wembanyama is on pace to lead the NBA in blocks per game for the second straight season by a wide margin.

Better still, with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert having won the award four times, there may be voter fatigue, further increasing Wemby's chances of taking home the hardware.

All in all, he is on pace to become the first player in almost 30 years to average at least four blocks, and he has strong potential to achieve that feat. Even if he falls short, he should be a shoo-in to win Defensive Player of the Year.