By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama is fully recovered from a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder and is excited about the 2025-26 journey with the San Antonio Spurs.
“It’s life-changing. Spending so much time in hospitals. Talking with doctors. Hearing more bad news that I wish I hadn’t heard,” the 21-year-old French center said during the preseason media day on Monday, opening up on his health scare, “In the long run, I believe it is going to be very beneficial, because even though I don’t wish it on anybody, it makes you understand lessons better.”
Seeking growth as a person as well, his offseason went from rehab to a spiritual retreat at the Shaolin Temple in China and a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. However, getting ready to return to basketball action was on top of his list of priorities.
“I can assure you nobody has trained like I did this summer. This is my best summer so far. I can tell the progress is incredible. I feel better, I look stronger. The scale says I’m heavier. So, everything is a green light,” he mentioned.
“I’m so much more under control, and my conditioning is so much better, but that comes at a price. What I have done this summer is world-class,” he further explained.
The Preseason schedule opens at home against the visiting Guangzhou Loong Lions next Monday.
“I’ve played basketball almost all summer. But, on my body, there are only so many steps that I’m going to take in the summer. I’m only going to get so much better, and I think I’ve maxed out what I can do in one summer. And now I need to play basketball and work on my skills and as a team tactically,” Wemby shared his eagerness for game action, “I want to play and I miss it.”