Wemby: Gobert should win DPOY now before 'it's no longer his turn'

Victor Wembanyama has no issue with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.

The San Antonio Spurs rookie threw his support behind his fellow Frenchman when asked about the DPOY race Thursday, suggesting his time to win the award will come soon.

"I know that Rudy has a very good chance of winning it this year, and it would be deserved," Wembanyama said, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. "Let him win it now because after that it's no longer his turn."

The 31-year-old Gobert has won DPOY three times in his career, tied for the third most in NBA history. He's a favorite to win the award again this season, averaging 2.1 blocks per game while anchoring a Minnesota defense that boasts the NBA's best defensive rating.

Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, has also made a strong case for DPOY. Through 58 games, he's averaging 1.3 steals and a league-leading 3.4 blocks.