San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama has opened up about the alarming health scare that abruptly ended his NBA season. The 21-year-old prodigy was forced to exit the regular season in February due to a blood clot in his shoulder.
Despite the clot, identified as Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), not posing a significant threat to his overall health, Wembanyama has shared insights into the potential worrying consequences of the condition and the measures he’s taking to return to play. “I’ve already overcome this issue,” he told the media. “There are many more things involved when you go to hospital for a blood clot.
“We’re taking our time and are neither ahead nor behind in recovery, but it’s a process and there are definitely some steps to reach. I wasn’t at my best during the All-Star [game], it was by no means easy to learn and process it.
“Looking back, I’m really fortunate.This happened, but we all deal with what we have. I’m still in the top 1% of the luckiest people, I have nothing to complain about.”
DVT is characterised by a clot forming in a deep vein, typically in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm. It can lead to swelling and pain, although sometimes it presents no symptoms whatsoever.
The condition can be serious if the clots break loose, travel through the bloodstream, and cause a pulmonary embolism by blocking blood flow in the lungs.
The towering talent began experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder post All-Star Weekend, prompting the team to conduct a battery of tests, which subsequently revealed his condition, league sources disclosed.
The NBA has seen its fair share of stars grappling with DVT, including Toronto Raptors’ Brandon Ingram, ex-Miami Heat star Chris Bosh, and Detroit Pistons’ young guard Ausar Thompson.
Yet, Wembanyama is determined to make a comeback next season, having already resumed weight training. The French prodigy expressed his anticipation for the upcoming campaign, but remained coy about confirming his appearance at the European Basketball Championship for France, set to tip off in August.
“Looking back, many things happened. Unexpected ones, of course,” he said. “Of course there’s a lot of excitement for next season. I’m not going to expand much on that because I have much to do. But I’m eager and ready.
“I trust the organisation. I trust Pop [San Antonio president Gregg Popovich] and everything he does to come back and have his energy back. I also trust Mitch [Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson] to grow in his role.”
Johnson also appears to concur with Wemby’s theory that the 7’3″ star will be prepared for next year, as the Spurs aim to better their 13th place finish in the Western Conference this season.
“Everything we’ve said [about Wembanyama’s recovery] has been consistent,” Johnson said. “He’ll be ready to go to camp next year. Things are going well. I know it’s not hot news, but it’s good news.”