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Victor Wembanyama missed the concluding portion of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
During an end-of-season press conference on Sunday, the 21-year-old French center provided an update on his condition: “I can engage in intense workouts, weightlifting, and basketball practice. Everything I’m doing is carefully monitored and low-impact. Sometimes I feel a desire to push harder. It’s understandable, given the medical guidance.”
He elaborated on the progress needed before he can participate in contact drills: “We are being patient. I’m neither ahead nor behind schedule. It’s a process with specific milestones to achieve.”
After the All-Star break, Wembanyama did not return to the San Antonio Spurs, completing his second NBA season with 46 games played, averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Reflecting on the unfortunate end to his season, he stated, “At that moment, I wasn’t fully aware. However, in hindsight, I did sense something was off.”
When addressing his thrombosis diagnosis, Wembanyama primarily looked forward but did share insight into his condition. “It’s a significant challenge. I won’t pretend it’s easy, but I can say I was somewhat prepared,” he shared regarding his initial feelings. “Part of my role is to be ready for injuries and similar issues. While it hasn’t been easy to process, I was mentally prepared. I believe I’m managing as best as possible, prioritizing my health and trusting the excellent work of the medical professionals.”
He downplayed the idea of shoulder surgery, stating, “A hospital visit for a blood clot involves much more than just surgery. I won’t delve into my medical history, but I have indeed had consultations with various doctors and specialists.”
Wembanyama noted, “I experienced some symptoms, so I had begun to seek answers earlier. While it wasn’t a shock to me, hearing it confirmed by professionals had a different impact.”
He reflected on the lesson learned from this experience, saying, “Sadly, it often takes something significant for people to gain insight. In the long run, I believe this will be beneficial for me.”
When questioned about EuroBasket 2025 during the French segment of the press conference, particularly regarding potential participation in this summer’s international tournament, he admitted, “I’m not sure if it’s realistic for me to join Frederic Fauthoux’s squad. There are many uncertainties.”
France will compete in Katowice during the EuroBasket preliminary round, facing Belgium, Slovenia, Israel, Poland, and Iceland from August 28 to September 4. Securing a spot among the top four teams will earn them a place in the knockout stage and a journey to Riga.
Stay tuned for further updates.
