Victor Wembanyama’s journey back to the NBA hardwood is one of grit, transformation, and a dash of wanderlust. After a harrowing health scare that threatened not just his career but his life, the 21-year-old French phenom is set to make his much-anticipated return for the San Antonio Spurs when the new NBA season tips off on October 22, 2025, against the Dallas Mavericks. That date is circled in red for Spurs fans eager to see the towering center—now officially listed at 7 feet 4 inches and 240 pounds—reclaim his place as one of basketball’s most electrifying young talents.
Wembanyama’s absence from the court stretched back to mid-February, when his meteoric sophomore campaign was cut short by a diagnosis that sent shockwaves through the league: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, discovered just after his first NBA All-Star appearance in San Francisco. The diagnosis not only ended his season but forced a period of intense reflection and rehabilitation. "This experience changed my life," Wembanyama recalled during the Spurs’ recent media day, echoing a sentiment he’d repeat to several outlets. "I spent a lot of time in the hospital, surrounded by doctors, hearing more bad news than I expected. But I believe it will be beneficial in the long run."
The gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on him or the medical staff. DVT, after all, is no ordinary sports injury—it carries the risk of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism if a clot travels to the lungs. Wembanyama underwent urgent surgery and endured months of medical supervision. The ordeal forced him to miss not only the remainder of the NBA season but also withdraw from the French national team’s EuroBasket campaign, where France would ultimately suffer a disappointing elimination in the round of 16. The decision to focus solely on recovery was as much about future longevity as it was about immediate health.
But if the hospital bed was a crucible, the summer of 2025 became Wembanyama’s forge. With full medical clearance granted by late September, he threw himself into what he described as "brutal" and "world-class" training. "My training was brutal this summer," he warned reporters. "The first thing was to recover my skills and then work on development. I can assure you that nobody has trained like I did this summer." The results are tangible: increased strength, added weight, and a renewed sense of confidence. "The progress is simply incredible. I feel better. I look stronger, and the scale says I weigh more. So everything is a green light."
His transformation wasn’t limited to the gym. Driven by a newfound urgency to experience life, Wembanyama’s hiatus included a two-week retreat at the famed Shaolin Temple in China, where he immersed himself in meditation and physical training with Buddhist monks. "Training with the monks was an incredible experience. Very much out of my comfort zone. It really paid off in terms of training and as a life experience as a curious person. It’s just great," he reflected. The trip not only pushed his physical limits—he delivered his first "real kicks" during karate training—but also expanded his mental horizons. Along the way, he visited NASA’s Space Center in Houston, organized a basketball and chess tournament at his home in France, and dove into the writings of science fiction and fantasy author Brandon Sanderson. "The thrombosis gave me the feeling that life is short, that you have to live experiences," Wembanyama explained, his perspective broadened by adversity.
On the court, Wembanyama’s numbers from last season remain eye-popping. In just 46 games before his injury, he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game—figures that had him in the running for Defensive Player of the Year and cemented his status as a generational talent. After winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024, his sophomore surge was a beacon of hope for a Spurs franchise eager to end a six-year playoff drought. Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan summed up the anticipation: "You see how hard he works and how motivated he is. I think he’s super excited to see, and I think he’s ready. I think you guys are going to see a lot that’s going to shock you, and I think everyone’s excited and can’t wait to see him on the actual NBA court."
Coach Mitch Johnson echoed that sentiment, marveling at Wembanyama’s relentless drive. "He is so intentional on the variety of ways that he tries to improve as a player and a person. It’s really something I’ve never witnessed or experienced in my time. It’s quite curious. It’s quite constantly trying to push himself out his comfort zone and learn new things." Johnson has also emphasized the team’s cautious approach to player health, especially as other key Spurs—like De’Aaron Fox (recovering from a right hamstring injury) and rookie Dylan Harper (rehabbing a thumb ligament)—navigate their own road to readiness. "Everything is heading in the right direction. When it’s all the way good, and probably a little overdone on our end medically, then we’ll clear," Johnson said.
Wembanyama’s return is part of a wider NBA narrative this fall, as injuries and comebacks dominate headlines. Stars like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard are all at various stages of recovery from serious setbacks, a reminder of the physical toll of the modern game. Yet, as camps open and hope springs anew, Wembanyama stands out—not just for his size and stats, but for his resilience and curiosity. "What I’ve done this summer, it’s world-class," he said. "Even in the field of professional sports, I don’t think many people have trained the way we’ve trained the summer."
With the Spurs’ preseason opener set for October 6 at Frost Bank Center against a visiting Chinese team, all eyes are on Wembanyama. He’s eager to log significant minutes, shake off the rust, and lead a retooled Spurs squad featuring the return of Fox and the additions of Luke Kornet and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. The goal? To vault the Spurs back into playoff contention and, perhaps, shock the league with a new era of San Antonio basketball led by its most promising star in years.
Whatever the outcome, Wembanyama’s story already stands as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the unquenchable thirst for growth—on and off the court. As opening night approaches, Spurs fans and basketball lovers everywhere can hardly wait to see what surprises the new season will deliver with Victor Wembanyama back in action.
