This year’s Rookie of the Year race is one for the ages. It has been a neck-and-neck competition between San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren. The two players present the most unique profile the NBA has ever seen: 7-foot-tall centers, with handles and shooting comparable to a guard. While Wembanyama had the upper hand early in the season, 21-year-old Chet Holmgren recently overtook the Spurs rookie in the KIA rookie ladder. Holmgren has led the Thunder to an 11-6 record, while Wemby’s team sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Despite Holmgren surpassing Wembanyama in the ROTY race, a former All-Star shunned their rivalry, pitting Holmgren with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards for a bizarre reason.

Should Chet Holmgren not be compared with Victor Wembanyama?

Washington Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas addressed this year’s ROTY race on his podcast, Gil’s Arena. He believes Chet Holmgren should not be compared with 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama due to their age difference. Chet’s numbers should rather be put up against other players of his age for a more accurate comparison. “Chet, let’s grade you against 21-year-olds. Some of those guys are already All-Stars, already All-NBA players. That’s your age group. Wemby is in the 19-year-old age group.” Arenas said. LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, who are in Chet Holmgren’s age group, have already become established superstars in the league and have each made the All-Star team at least once.

Even though Chet Holmgren is a rookie on a technicality, he got drafted into the NBA in 2022. He missed an entire season due to a foot injury, making this year his rookie season. Chet also attended one year at Gonzaga University before heading to the NBA. Meanwhile, Wembanyama is only 19 years old, and the age advantage gives him a higher ceiling than the Thunder rookie.

Read More: Spurs Injury Horror: Doctors Cluster Victor Wembanyama a Day Before Pelicans Showdown

Individual performance vs. Team record

A major reason for Chet Holmgren leading this year’s ROTY race is his team’s performance. OKC is currently 4th in the Western Conference, and Holmgren has been a very efficient player for them. However, Victor Wembanyama is having a more dominant individual season as a rookie than Chet. Wemby is leading the rookies in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He is averaging 19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks in his rookie season as compared to Chet’s 17.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Those are some insane numbers for a 19-year-old rookie.

But the San Antonio Spurs are the worst team in the Western Conference. So, the question arises whether the NBA awards a rookie’s individual performance throughout the season or the regular season record of his team. Chet is not far behind Wembanyama in stats, but his efficiency and team success have pulled him ahead of the 19-year-old.

It will be interesting to see which rookie takes home the ROTY trophy this year. Do you agree with Gilbert Arenas’ claim about Chet Holmgren being a more suitable comparison with the players of his age group?

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