The San Antonio Spurs have announced that their star player, Victor Wembanyama, has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, leading to the unfortunate conclusion of his NBA season. The diagnosis came shortly after Wembanyama returned from the All-Star Game in San Francisco, as detailed in the team’s recent statement.
Wembanyama, a 21-year-old phenom selected first overall in the 2023 draft, was enjoying a breakout sophomore season and had just become an NBA All-Star, contributing 11 points in the All-Star game on February 16. Prior to the revelation of his condition, he was preparing to join the Spurs for a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 20.
Deep vein thrombosis typically occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the body, most commonly in the legs, but in Wembanyama’s case, it was discovered in his shoulder. While DVT is often referred to as a “silent killer” because many individuals exhibit no symptoms, it can lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism if a clot travels to the lungs.
The condition is relatively rare in the shoulder area, known as Axillo-subclavian vein thrombosis, which occurs in only one or two out of every 100,000 individuals. It can result from repetitive arm movements or injuries that compress blood vessels, leading to clot formation.
Other NBA players, such as Brandon Ingram and Chris Bosh, have also faced similar DVT diagnoses. The specifics of Wembanyama’s condition suggest that he will undergo the appropriate treatments, which typically include medications to dissolve clots and possibly physical therapy.
While this news is disappointing for Spurs fans and the NBA community, there is hope that Wembanyama will recover fully and return stronger, as has been the case for other athletes facing similar challenges. The Spurs will keep fans updated as Wembanyama embarks on his treatment and recovery journey.