Spurs Star Victor Wembanyama Says He's Recovered from Blood Clot, Is Cleared to Return to Action
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The French Phenom is Back
In news that will send shockwaves of relief throughout San Antonio and the basketball world, Victor Wembanyama announced he has recovered from the deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder that limited him to just 46 games last season, telling French newspaper L'Équipe, "I'm officially cleared to return."
"It just happened," Wembanyama told L'Équipe. "I got the green light from the Spurs' medical staff just [on Friday]. Phew, I'll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again."
A Season Cut Short
The 21-year-old center's sophomore campaign was derailed in February when he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder. At the time of his diagnosis, Wembanyama was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game - a statistical line that put him in rare company. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1975-76) had previously finished a season averaging that stat line.
The injury was particularly devastating timing-wise, as Wembanyama was the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year and earn All-NBA honors before being shut down. He led the NBA in blocked shots despite his season being cut short right after the All-Star break.
An Unconventional Recovery
During his recovery period, Wembanyama took an unusual approach to maintaining his physical and mental conditioning. He recently returned from training with monks during a 10-day stay at a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou, China, followed up by a vacation in Japan. According to sources, Wembanyama trained in China because he wanted to put his body through a different method of training to learn more about himself.
The experience proved beneficial for the young star. Wembanyama returned from kung fu training with the monks in China feeling like the extra work had done him some good, especially with mental focus and body positioning.
Perfect Timing for the Spurs
The news comes at an ideal time for San Antonio, which has been building around their French superstar. The Spurs ended up finishing 34-48, but appear to be well-positioned for future success. The team has made significant moves to surround Wembanyama with talent, including acquiring De'Aaron Fox at last year's trade deadline and selecting No. 2 pick Dylan Harper in the recent draft.
The roster also features steady forward Devin Vassell and Rookie of the Year guard Stephon Castle, while the team added depth by bringing in big men Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk to back up Wembanyama, as well as rookie Carter Bryant, the No. 14 pick in this year's draft.
Championship Aspirations
With Wembanyama's return confirmed, the Spurs suddenly find themselves in a much different position heading into the 2025-26 season. With a fully-healthy Wembanyama entering his third NBA season, taking the Spurs to make some noise in 2025-26 feels like a very solid futures bet.
The young center's defensive prowess remains unmatched. Wembanyama, 21, led the NBA last season in blocked shots and is a likely favorite to win the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ makes him a generational talent around which championship teams can be built.
Wembanyama showed up at NBA Summer League on Thursday, bringing the crowd at Thomas & Mack Center to applause when he walked over to his courtside seat, signaling his eagerness to return to competitive basketball.
