Game Changer Victor Wembanyama Jumps to MVP Favorite on $1,000,000,000 Gambling Platform

It took just one game for Victor Wembanyama to shake up this season’s MVP race, as he erupted for 40 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in the San Antonio Spurs’ season opener against the frontcourt-heavy Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama’s dominant start to his third NBA season, after his second was cut short by a blood clot issue, was even more impressive considering he outplayed a front line that included Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

After opening the offseason with +1,200 odds to win NBA MVP, he now holds the best odds on the $1 billion prediction market Polymarket at +280.

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Victor Wembanyama still faces competition, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 45 points per game through two double-overtime wins, along with Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards also in the mix.

If he wins MVP this season, Wembanyama would become the youngest player to earn the award, tying Derrick Rose and Wes Unseld, who both won at 22.

Before his injury last year, Wembanyama had been favored to win Defensive Player of the Year, but the setback made him ineligible.

Victor Wembanyama outlines goals for third season

After a Rookie of the Year debut with the Spurs, expectations quickly rose for Victor Wembanyama. In his second season, before the blood clot, he was the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, and now in his third, he’s part of the MVP conversation.

On Monday, he spoke about what he considers a successful third season.

“Success would be getting into the playoffs and not the play-in (tournament), so I guess that means sixth seed,” he said, per the San Antonio Express-News.

Wembanyama improved his scoring, rebounding and block averages from his rookie season to his sophomore year.

The Spurs finished 34-48 last season while pairing Wembanyama with De’Aaron Fox. This year, they added rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, along with veteran big men Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet.

Up next for San Antonio are the New Orleans Pelicans, featuring former No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, on Friday. The Spurs then begin a three-game homestand with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Toronto Raptors on Monday and Miami Heat next Thursday.

About the author

John Ezekiel Hirro is an experienced NBA and WNBA journalist at Sportskeeda, with over five years in the field as a news correspondent, sports writer, and Editor-in-Chief. His sports writing career began in high school, where he garnered numerous accolades, including being named the national sports writing champion in 2016.

He earned his journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 2024 and served as the Editor-in-Chief of The Varsitarian, the university's official student publication, for four years—the longest in history.

A passionate basketball enthusiast, he became a fan of the OKC Thunder during the Russ-KD-Harden era. Russell Westbrook, his all-time favorite athlete, impressed him by stepping up as MVP after Kevin Durant's departure. His current favorite players include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who he believes are the future of the OKC franchise.

He excels in game analysis and rapid news story turnaround, drawing inspiration from the journalistic styles of Woj and Shams. He emphasizes thorough research to ensure accuracy in his articles. One of his most memorable moments is Russell Westbrook breaking Oscar Robertson's record with his 42nd triple-double and securing a 106-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Outside of writing, he enjoys listening to music and creating Spotify playlists.

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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro