Victor Wembanyama’s NBA future bright despite blood clot diagnosis

Despite being diagnosed with blood clots in his right shoulder, optimism remains high that Victor Wembanyama will make a full recovery, with his long-term NBA prospects still strong.

The 21-year-old Frenchman’s condition was revealed after the NBA All-Star Game, sparking concerns. However, medical experts and league figures have expressed confidence in his ability to overcome the setback.

“I’m just glad they caught it early,” said Shaquille O’Neal, praising the San Antonio Spurs for prioritizing Wembanyama’s health by shutting him down for the remainder of the season. “He’s a great kid. Someday he will be the face of the league.”

Dr. Victoria Tchaikovski, a specialist in treating athletes, noted that Wembanyama’s case is “quite rare” because the clots are in his shoulder, whereas deep vein thrombosis (DVT) more commonly affects the legs. She explained that in athletes, it is often classified as “effort-related DVT.”

The primary concern is the risk of the clot migrating, particularly to the lungs. As a result, Wembanyama will require blood-thinning medication, ruling him out of contact sports during treatment.

While the diagnosis has drawn comparisons to Chris Bosh’s career-ending clotting issues, experts emphasize key differences. UCLA vascular surgeon Hugh Gelabert told Sports Illustrated that shoulder clots, like Wembanyama’s, are generally smaller and lower-risk than leg clots.

Gelabert pointed to Brandon Ingram’s successful recovery from a similar shoulder clot, which did not derail his career—further reinforcing optimism for Wembanyama’s return to the NBA.