Victor Wembanyama Cleared to Return After Blood Clot Issue
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama says he’s been fully cleared to play again after dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder. He revealed this in an interview with French newspaper L’Équipe. The condition, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), had kept him out for months, but now he’s ready to return to basketball.
A source confirmed to The Associated Press that Wembanyama has officially been cleared and is expected to join full training camp later this year — unless something unexpected happens. The Spurs haven’t made a public announcement yet.
The team always believed Wembanyama would return for the new season, but this is the first time it’s been confirmed. “I’m officially cleared. I can finally start playing basketball again,” Wembanyama said.
Experts believe his DVT was caused by something external, like pressure on a blood vessel in his shoulder — not a genetic issue. In some cases, this happens when muscles or ribs press on veins, which can be treated with rest or even surgery if needed. The Spurs haven’t shared full medical details, but similar cases have been successfully treated in the past.
Other athletes have faced blood clot problems too. Serena Williams returned to tennis after a clot following childbirth. Chris Bosh had to retire due to recurring clots, while Tomas Fleischmann in hockey continued his career. Tomas Vokoun, another hockey player, needed surgery and didn’t return to play.
Wembanyama admitted he feared the worst. “I was scared I might never play again,” he said. “Sometimes, your mind goes to dark places when it’s about something you truly care about. But that fear changed me in a good way.”
The 7-foot-4 star was NBA Rookie of the Year two seasons ago. Last season, he was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game before he was sidelined in February. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has posted similar stats in a full season (1975–76). Wembanyama was also leading the race for Defensive Player of the Year when the injury hit.
Now, the Spurs’ young core looks even stronger. Stephon Castle won Rookie of the Year this past season, and the team just added Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.
Even though he’s cleared, Wembanyama knows he still needs time. “I need to work on my shoulder more and get used to playing again. It’s been five months since I played a real 5-on-5 game. If I had to play tomorrow, it would be risky. I have to rebuild my instincts and muscle memory.”
While recovering, Wembanyama spent time traveling. Last month, he visited a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou, China, where he trained in kung fu and studied Buddhist practices. He said the experience was intense but rewarding.
“It was like living as a warrior monk,” he said. “We did more than 1,000 kicks a day, balance and stretching exercises. We used muscles I never even knew existed — I had some of the worst muscle pain I’ve ever felt.”
FAQ
What health issue did Victor Wembanyama face?
Wembanyama was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, which kept him away from the court for months.
Has he been cleared to play again?
Yes, Wembanyama has officially been medically cleared to return to basketball and is expected to fully join training camp this fall.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein. In Wembanyama’s case, it was in his upper body, likely caused by vein compression.
Did Wembanyama think he might not play again?
Yes, he admitted fearing he may never play basketball again, but said the experience changed him in a positive way.