Spurs' Wemby Reveals Emotional Reaction to Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis in New Video

Victor Wembanyama's 2024-25 season ended just after the All-Star Break after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in his right shoulder.

It was an injury that not only impacted his playing career but also could have been life-threatening if not caught by doctors and addressed. And that took a toll on the young superstar.

"Coming back from what I came back from, it's the best example that life is short," he told ESPN's Malika Andrews on Monday. "A career is short. There's no time to waste. ... That moment, I remember clearly, it was like five minutes of total breakdown. Obviously crying and sadness, maybe feeling the fragility of life and health. Basketball wasn't my priority all of a sudden, as it had been for years and years of my life. I needed time to find myself again and then to get better."

Wemby also said he was scared he wouldn't play again, but he ultimately chose to go overseas to China in the summer to realign his mindset and spirit.

And he returned to the court better than ever, finishing third in the MVP voting after averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, one steal and an absurd 3.1 blocks per game, shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three. He's led the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals, where the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder await.