Victor Wembanyama dealt with deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, in early 2025 that ended his season with the Spurs. The health scare changed how he approaches life and basketball.
"The condition I had in early 2025, the thrombosis, had a huge impact on this. After that it's like, life's so short, I don't even want to waste it being somebody else. Simple as that," Wembanyama said on 60 Minutes.
The experience made him more expressive both personally and on the court. He listened to medical professionals during treatment, which he credits with improving his outlook. Wembanyama said the scare helped him mature and become more vocal with his team. He played in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City after the health episode.