Victor Wembanyama Clears Medical Hurdle and Returns to Basketball

NBA teams need to be on alert: Victor Wembanyama is back in the game.

After being sidelined during his second season with the Spurs due to blood clots in his shoulder, the towering 7-foot-3 player has finally been cleared to play again.

“I’m officially allowed to resume,” Wembanyama shared with French reporter Maxim Aubin. “That’s refreshing. I got approval from Spurs medical staff a few hours ago.”

“Hmm, I’m finally able to play a little basketball again! My injury was obviously an adventure, but the hardest part is over. Today, I’m feeling much better physically and mentally,” he added.

The blood clots were discovered on February 20th, leading the Spurs to announce that he was dealing with deep venous thrombosis, which resulted in him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

Prior to his injury, the 21-year-old had impressive averages of 24.3 points and 11 rebounds per game, while the Spurs held a 23-29 record at the time of his diagnosis, ultimately finishing the season at 34-48 and missing the playoffs.

While recovering, Wembanyama traveled to Costa Rica, Japan, and China. He participated in a 10-day retreat at a Buddhist temple, which sparked a buzz on social media, claiming to have become “part of the 34th generation warrior monks of the temple.”

“It was very difficult,” he reflected on the retreat. “We did movements we’d never practiced before: over 1,000 kicks, jumps, balance exercises, and stretches each day.”

“We rarely used those muscles, and they quickly became overloaded. There were moments of intense pain. At one point, it felt like too much, and we had to take a step back,” Wembanyama continued.

His absence last season played a role in Spurs’ missed playoff opportunities, but he believes the team is moving in the right direction this upcoming season.

“I think my injuries have changed the timeline a bit,” he mentioned. “I wouldn’t wish those experiences on anyone, yet I can’t ignore the lessons they bring. I’m hopeful we’ll make the playoffs next season.”

As Wembanyama gears up to return, he’ll be backed by a promising Spurs roster, including former All-Star De’Aaron Fox, this year’s Rookie of the Year Stephen Castle, and 2025’s No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper. The emerging defensive talent from the summer league could complement Wembanyama’s skills beautifully.