The San Antonio Spurs and their fans can breathe a bit easier now, as star player Victor Wembanyama has been fully cleared to return to the game after his bout with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his shoulder. According to the KSAT, Wembanyama, who scooped up the Rookie of the Year accolade two seasons back, informed L’Équipe of his medical clearance, stating, "I’m officially cleared to return. It just happened — I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just a few hours ago (last Friday)."
Despite the ordeal, the backbone of the Spurs' promising young core shared his relief and anticipation to hit the court during the interview, "I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again," Wembanyama said. With training camp on the horizon, the team expects Wembanyama to be in full swing, although he has not participated in a 5-on-5 match in five months due to a health issue, according to The Detroit News. Spurs officials remained tight-lipped on the specifics of Wembanyama's condition; however, the clearance indicates that his DVT likely came as a result of certain provoking factors, rather than a genetic inclination.
According to The Detroit News, similar medical concerns have ended the careers of some athletes, while others, like tennis icon Serena Williams, have made triumphant returns after treatment. Such conditions are often manageable with appropriate medical intervention. In his L’Équipe interview, Wembanyama revealed his worries about the future of his career, "I was afraid of not being able to play basketball anymore," he said, but added that those fears ultimately led to personal growth.
The journey back to the court has been more than just rehab for the French center; it included a philosophical detour to a Shaolin temple in China, where Wembanyama spent time studying kung fu and Buddhism, according to The Detroit News, the same L’Équipe piece. "We were initiated there to the life of a warrior monk, which combines Buddhism and intensive kung fu practice", he said, detailing the rigorous and physically demanding regime. Wembanyama confessed that the experience, which did not align with his religious identity, was challenging and led to "some of the biggest aches and pains of my life."
Off the court, the Spurs have rejuvenated their roster with high-energy draft selections and strategic signings such as Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. As the garnish to what looks like a season full of potential, the Spurs' No. 2 pick, Dylan Harper, is poised to join an already talent-rich squad alongside Wembanyama and last year's Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle.
