Victor Wembanyama, the standout player for the San Antonio Spurs, has announced that he is “officially cleared to play again” following a significant recovery from a blood clot in his right shoulder. The young athlete, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, faced a setback in his career when he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, which ultimately forced him to end his 2024-25 season prematurely.
After undergoing surgery in March 2024, Wembanyama missed out on the opportunity to be named Defensive Player of the Year, an accolade he was widely favored to win. His return to the court comes as a relief not only to him but also to Spurs fans eagerly anticipating his performance.
A Joyous Announcement
Wembanyama shared his excitement during an interview with French outlet L’Equipe. “I got the go-ahead from the Spurs medical staff just a few hours ago,” he said, expressing his eagerness to play basketball again. “Phew, I’m finally going to be able to play a bit of basketball again!”
The 21-year-old reflected on the challenges he faced during his recovery, stating, “My injury was an adventure, of course, but the worst is over. I’m much better today, both physically and mentally.” He noted that his recovery is proceeding well, being “right on schedule” with expectations and even ahead of the typical recovery times for NBA players who have dealt with similar issues.
Wembanyama confirmed, “One can now say that this thrombosis is officially behind me. It shouldn’t happen again.” Despite this optimistic outlook, he acknowledged the mental hurdle of being away from the game for an extended period. “When I first received the news, my head was spinning,” he admitted, emphasizing that he has never experienced such a long break from basketball.
Preparing for a Comeback
Even with medical clearance, Wembanyama is aware that he has much work ahead to regain his full capabilities on the court. “Now, I have to continue with specific work on my shoulder, and above all, get back to my basketball habits,” he explained. He highlighted that he has not participated in 5-on-5 games for five months, indicating that jumping back into competitive play would be risky.
“There are a lot of reflexes I need to rediscover, both conscious and linked to muscle memory,” he noted. Wembanyama candidly shared his initial feelings of betrayal by his body during this challenging time. Yet, he reassured fans that this mindset is not conducive to his recovery.
After a remarkable 2023-24 season, where he led the league with a total of 176 blocks—28 more than his closest competitor—Wembanyama is expected to be a strong contender once again for the Defensive Player of the Year award in the upcoming season.
As Victor Wembanyama prepares for his return, the basketball world watches closely, eager to see how the young star will bounce back from this unprecedented challenge. His resilience not only inspires his teammates but also serves as a testament to the determination of athletes facing health adversities.
