Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, a condition that not only sidelined him from NBA courts but could have cost him his life. Since the diagnosis, he had not spoken to the media until today, when he shared more details about his recovery.
Wembanyama breaks silence on his thrombosis
The 21-year-old Frenchman, already a sensation in the NBA, hadn’t spoken publicly since February 20, when news of his blood clot emerged before a shooting practice.
Every time the topic came up, San Antonio Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson responded with vague statements.
“He’s doing very well,” Johnson said in late March. “I think he would’ve wanted to be out on the court to block some shots and make some buckets for us … (but) we’ll keep it all in-house.”
But on Sunday, the silence ended with statements from Victor Wembanyama himself, who discussed his recovery process just before the Spurs’ final game of the season.
“I’m able to do hard work, hard lifting,” the 7-footer reassured. “It’s all very controlled and light. Sometimes, I feel like I’d like to do more … (but) it’s logical, medical direction, so I trust the process.”
Wembanyama appeared on the Spurs’ bench a few times after his diagnosis, but he later underwent surgery to treat his blood clot and wasn’t seen again until the March Madness final alongside Hakeem Olajuwon on April 7.
Victor Wembanyama’s season
During the season, Wembanyama played in 46 games, averaging 24.3 points per game, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks. In fact, he was on track to contend for Defensive Player of the Year and possibly the Most Improved Player Award, but he didn’t meet the 65-game requirement to be eligible.
“‘We’re taking our time,” Wembanyama said. “I’m neither late nor early. It’s a process. There’s definitely steps I need to take before (I come back),” he explained to the media, referring to the time it will take to return and continue shining.
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