Victor Wembanyama: San Antonio Spurs star out for season with blood clot

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. He has been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

The Spurs stated that the 21-year-old French player was found to have the condition upon returning to San Antonio on Monday after the All-Star Game in San Francisco. Deep vein thrombosis refers to the phenomenon of blood clots forming inside blood vessels.

As the current Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama has averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 46 games this season, and leads the NBA with 176 blocks. However, this injury means he will no longer be eligible for All-NBA teams, Defensive Player of the Year, or other awards, as he will not meet the league's minimum requirement of 65 games played.

Wembanyama was selected by the Spurs with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, becoming only the second European player in history to be selected as the top pick. He could potentially return for the NBA Playoffs, but the Spurs are currently ranked 12th in the Western Conference and are unlikely to advance to the playoffs. The Spurs will face the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.