By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER
Published: 22:56 EST, 13 December 2025 | Updated: 22:56 EST, 13 December 2025
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama revealed the emotions he felt when he discovered he was suffering from a blood clot.
Back in February, the 7-foot sensation was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder - a surprising prognosis for the 21-year-old.
In a sit-down interview with ESPN, the French phenom revealed he suffered a 'breakdown' when doctors told him the news.
'I remember clearly, it's going to be one year soon since I learned,' Wembanyama told the network.
'It was five minutes of total breakdown, probably. Obviously, crying and sadness and feeling the fragility of life and health.'
Quickly after his diagnosis, the Spurs shut Wembanyama down for the season - giving him enough time to allow for his recovery.
Wemby on finding out he had a blood clot:
"It was 5 minutes of total breakdown. Obviously crying and sadness. Basketball wasn't my priority all of a sudden. It was just the whole motor all summer and I think it's gonna be for the rest of my career" pic.twitter.com/Swa2Fz5qu9
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 13, 2025
Victor Wembanyama opened up about the emotional rollercoaster he went through after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder last year
He revealed he was briefly afraid that he might not play basketball after the scary diagnosis
Wembanyama said that it was enough of a scare for him to put sports to the side.
'I was thinking about this as... Like I just said, I wasn't thinking about basketball. Basketball wasn't my priority all of a sudden,' he said.
'At a time like this where you have to take measures quickly, you unfortunately have to make choices. There's this worry of maybe not doing the right thing.'
When asked if he was worried that he might not ever take the court again, Wembanyama replied, 'In those five minutes? Yes, but it wasn't justified.
'I needed time to find myself again and then to get better. It was just the whole motor all summer, and I think it's going to be for the rest of my career.
'It's the best example that life is short, career is short. It can end just like this. So There's no time to waste.'
By the summertime, Wembanyama was cleared for full basketball activities after his treatment was successful.
After undergoing treatment, Wembanyama did eventually make his return to the court
However, a calf strain has sidelined him for a significant portion of this season
He got off to a strong start, leading the Spurs in points (26.2), rebounds (12.9) and blocks (3.6) across 12 games.
But he's missed the last 12 games due to a calf injury. The last time he took to the court was against the Golden State Warriors in mid-November.
Wembanyama is expected to return on Saturday night in the semifinals of the NBA Cup.
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