After just three games, Victor Wembanyama has put the league on notice that he has a serious shot at winning the 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player award. If the 21-year-old were to be able to accomplish such an achievement, he would overtake Derrick Rose as the youngest player to ever win the award.

Wembanyama has started the season on fire, averaging 34 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks per game with his Spurs team currently undefeated.

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His season started with a dominant performance against the Dallas Mavericks on ESPN. Wembanyama had a 40-point, 15-rebound performance outdueling All-Star Anthony Davis.

After his opening night performance, Wembanayama quickly became the third favourite to win MVP, only behind previous winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.

He then followed that performance with a near triple-double against the Pelicans as he had 29 points with 11 rebounds and nine blocks. Then today against the Nets, he stuffed the stat sheet with 31 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks and three steals.

Wembanyama certainly has the talent to win MVP, but that doesn't guarantee him the award. The question is, how could he actually achieve this honour?

First, we know he has the stats; last year, he averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. From what he has shown us so far, it seems his season averages will only go up. He most likely will need to average 27-28 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to have a serious shot at winning.

He also has the advantage of already being the best defensive player in the world. He pretty much has Defensive Player of the Year locked away, which will only help his case for MVP.

Second, need to be on a winning team. This is the factor that could be the one that ruins his chances of winning the award. There have only been a few players to win the award from a seed lower than 4th; the most recent was Nikola Jokic in 2022.

You would expect the Spurs to need to win 50 games, which was the number of wins for the third season last year. The Spurs are currently 3-0, but it is a long season ahead with many tough opponents. So to see them win 50 games will be hard, but it is very doable.

Star factor is another component that is needed, which Wembanyama has achieved for some time now. He is a fan favourite, and he will also get to show his talents in big games across the season.

The race is currently wide open for the MVP with multiple candidates to start the season. Wembanyama will have to compete with stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards.

After only playing 46 games last season, Wembanyama will also have to stay healthy, as he needs to play 65 games to be eligible to win the award.

He has every chance to win MVP, and it would be astonishing to see him break Derrick Rose's record of the youngest player to win the award. It is going to be a tight race until the finish line, but the chances are becoming real for Victor Wembanyama to win MVP.