NBA Season Awards: French Players Shine in Nominations

Key Nominations for French NBA Stars

During the night from Sunday to Monday, the NBA announced the finalists for its seasonal awards, highlighting the performances of French players Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. Gobert, a veteran center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wembanyama, a rookie sensation with the San Antonio Spurs, are both in contention for the Best Defender of the Season award.

Defensive and Rookie Award Contenders

Rudy Gobert, already a three-time recipient of the Best Defender award, is competing against Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo and teammate Victor Wembanyama. Despite leading the league in blocks, Wembanyama's chances are considered slimmer due to his team's lower defensive ranking. Gobert, on the other hand, could match the record held by Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace if he wins again.

Victor Wembanyama is also a strong candidate for the Best Rookie of the Season, facing competition from Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City and Brandon Miller of Charlotte.

MVP and Other Awards

The MVP race features Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, marking a notable absence of American contenders this year. Other categories announced include Best Progression, Best Sixth Man, Best Coach, and Most Clutch Player, with finalists such as Tyrese Maxey, Malik Monk, and Stephen Curry.

Summary of Finalists

• Best Player: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic.
• Best Defender: Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama.
• Best Progression: Tyrese Maxey, Alperen Sengun, Coby White.
• Best Rookie: Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Victor Wembanyama.
• Best Sixth Man: Malik Monk, Bobby Portis, Naz Reid.
• Best Coach: Mark Daigneault, Chris Finch, Jamahl Mosley.
• Most Clutch Player: Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The awards aim to honor outstanding performances across various aspects of the game, from defensive prowess to coaching excellence, highlighting the global talent contributing to the league.