Victor Wembanyama Climbs to 5th in MVP Odds After Massive Transformation—Could He Be NBA’s Next Superstar?
There’s a buzz that’s been lighting up arenas, sports bars, and social media lately. Leave it to Victor Wembanyama—the 7-foot-3 phenom with the San Antonio Spurs—to keep things interesting. He’s currently sitting at fifth-best odds to win the 2025-26 NBA MVP award, and that’s not just because of empty hype. It’s real momentum, fueled by jaw-dropping growth—both on his body and in his game.
Imagine stepping into that sea of Spurs blue and silver in January. The camera pans to Wemby dunking with ferocious energy, towering over defenders like a skyscraper on stilts. That’s the Wemby we’ve come to know: long limbs swatting shots, moves so graceful that sometimes it seems like he’s gliding above the court. But something changed. Over the off-season, he put on a muscle-packed 30 pounds—transforming from 215 to about 245 pounds. He’s still that lithe athlete, but now he’s sturdier, ready to power through contact, and more explosive than ever. During an appearance on the podcast “Cold as Balls,” Wemby talked about how he gained weight the right way: strength work without losing his natural agility. It’s a delicate balance, and he’s crushing it.
On top of that, he’s penciled in as the bookmakers’ fifth-best shot at MVP next season. ESPN BET posted it simply: “Wemby has the 5th-best odds to win MVP next season,” and that sparked conversations, memes, and plenty of excitement. Behind him in the rankings are big names like Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Paolo Banchero. Ahead of him sit the usual suspects—Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic—each with higher odds, but Wemby is creeping up.
Why Wemby’s Momentum Feels Real
Let me take you inside the moment when the realization hit me: this kid means business. It was during that epic Christmas Day game when he exploded for 42 points and 18 rebounds against the Knicks. That performance wasn’t just dominant—it felt historic. Suddenly college feats by Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic didn’t seem so far out of reach. Wemby was stepping into their realm. That night sent a message: he’s not just tall—he’s a force that can take over games.
And then came more: a rare 50-point night and multiple games with 30-point, 10-block stat lines. His block numbers? They led the NBA at a whopping 3.8 blocks per game this past season, clearly proving his impact on defense. Spurs shut him down early with a blood clot in his shoulder partway through the season, ending it at 46 games, but those highlights lingered. It was enough for MVP odds-makers to notice.
I saw it echo online, too. On Reddit, Spurs fans were buzzing. One post exclaimed, “WEMBY TAKES THE 5TH SPOT IN THE NBA MVP LADDER.” Upvotes flooded in. Another thread: “Why Victor Wembanyama Could Legit Win MVP This Season.” That wasn’t fan fiction—it reflected collective belief. And now he’s officially on bookmakers’ radar.
Yes, his health remains a question mark. Deep vein thrombosis sidelined him, and taking blood-thinners always carries risk. But now, stronger, more conditioned, he’s poised to jump into a deeper, more consistent routine. If he keeps building on his off-season gains, the MVP conversation grows louder.
Right now, Wemby is the underdog among giants. Jokic is still the early favorite. ESPN BET lists him around +210, with Shai at +260, Luka +750, Giannis +1000, and Anthony Edwards +1300. Wemby stands close behind them at +1300. That means if you bet $100 on Wemby, you could walk away with about $1,300 if he wins MVP. Crazy upside.
That kind of potential can reshape a whole narrative. Think of Russell Westbrook taking MVP as a sixth seed in 2017, or Jokic doing similarly in 2022. Wemby may need teammates, health, and a winning environment to push his case. But when he’s in his rhythm, he’s a game-changer—pick-and-roll maestro, rim protector, inconsistent loss—but all the pieces are there.
And craft personal stories around him—not cardboard box narratives, but real-life unfolding. Remember that Christmas night? His face afterward said everything: exhausted, fulfilled. The Spurs crowd was electric, even with a loss. You could feel belief deep in those stands. That’s what MVP runs are made of.
Let’s keep this real. The MVP award isn’t just about stats—it’s about story, health, team success, narrative momentum. At 21 years old, with jaw-dropping physical tools, and now ranked 5th in odds, Wemby isn’t just hyped—he’s respected in betting markets and fans alike. If San Antonio makes a jump—say 40+ wins—and he stays healthy, he’s talking MVP.
I won’t pretend Wemby is the favorite; he’s got a mountain to climb. But that’s exactly what makes this exciting. You almost never see a player this young, this tall, this raw and yet so dominant at both ends. It’s a rare combination that reminds me of stories you tell, even years later—like “Remember when he dunked on Kristaps?” or “Remember that block on LeBron?”
Next season’s going to be something. Whether Wemby becomes MVP or not, I’m grateful we get to watch this journey unfold. From rookie of the year to next-gen star to MVP contender—he’s already written chapters that belong in the history books. So when the crowd roars next December, I’ll be watching, knowing that fifth spot in the odds? It might be just the start.