Victor Wembanyama lebih tinggi setelah kembali dari operasi untuk trombosis vena dalam
For all he had already accomplished in life, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama realized he truly had not done much.
Lying in a hospital bed awaiting surgery that could potentially save his life, much less an NBA career, Wembanyama waited for relief from a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
It led the 21-year-old from France to take a two-week excursion to China to train his mind and body this summer. It spurred him to visit the NASA Space Center and broaden his imagination and his understanding of space exploration.
“I mean, life isn’t forever and there are some experiences we’re going to miss on, it is inevitable, but I’m going to miss on the least that I can,” Wembanyama said Monday. “I want to experience the most and this is something that I wanted to do and just because I’m in the NBA, I’m not going to keep myself from doing it. I want to experience those things.”
The health scare has led to a healthier, happier and even taller Wembanyama.
After being listed as 7-foot-3 in his first two seasons, Wembanyama is officially 7-4 and 240 pounds after another summer spent bulking up.
Wembanyama’s health, along with the return of De’Aaron Fox and the additions of Luke Kornet and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, have fueled hopes the Spurs will end a six-year playoff drought.
“You see how hard he works and how motivated he is,” Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan said. “I think he’s super excited to see, and I think he’s ready. I think you guys are going to see a lot that’s going to shock you, and I think everyone’s excited and can’t wait to see him on the actual NBA court.”
Coming off winning Rookie of the Year in 2024, Wembanyama was literally towering over the world in the opening months of his second season in the NBA. In January, he played in Paris as an NBA player for the first time, debuted in the All-Star Game in February, was on course to win Defensive Player of the Year for a time and his popularity was growing faster than he did as a youth.
All of it halted when Wembanyama was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder shortly after the All-Star break, ending his season on Feb. 20.
“So, I don’t know where you heard it is thoracic on the thrombosis, but it was definitely a DVT,” Wembanyama said, clarifying speculation.
More concerning than not playing basketball, the blood clot in his right shoulder potentially could have traveled to his lungs and led to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
That led to Wembanyama to many doctor appointments and an urgent surgery.
“It is life-changing,” Wembanyama said. “I mean, spending so much time in hospitals and around doctors and hearing more bad news than I wish I heard. Of course, as you said, it is traumatic, but in the long run I think it’s going to be very beneficial, because even though I don’t wish it on [anybody]itu membuat Anda memahami pelajaran bahwa tidak ada hal lain yang bisa membuat Anda mengerti. “
Bukannya Wembanyama menjalani kehidupan yang tidak terkendali sebelum ketakutan kesehatannya. Sejak bergabung dengan liga sebagai anak berusia 18 tahun, Wembanyama pergi tidur jam 9 malam, membaca novel fiksi ilmiah dan fantasi dan membangun model Lego.
Tapi Wembanyama menginginkan lebih dari hidupnya.
“Ini adalah lubang kelinci yang cukup unik yang bisa Anda turunkan untuk seseorang seusianya,” kata pelatih Spurs Mitch Johnson. “Dia sangat disengaja pada berbagai cara yang dia coba tingkatkan sebagai pemain dan seseorang. Ini benar -benar sesuatu yang tidak pernah saya saksikan atau alami di waktu saya. Ini cukup penasaran. Ini cukup terus -menerus mencoba mendorong dirinya keluar dari zona nyamannya dan belajar hal -hal baru.”
Jadi, Wembanyama menindaklanjuti keinginannya untuk menjelajahi Pusat Luar Angkasa NASA di Houston dan untuk mengunjungi Kuil Shaolin di Cina dan mempelajari agama Buddha, meditasi dan pelatihan fisik dengan para bhikkhu.
“Pelatihan dengan para bhikkhu adalah pengalaman yang luar biasa,” kata Wembanyama. “Sangat keluar dari zona nyaman saya. Ini adalah niat saya sejak awal, tapi itu mungkin sejauh aktivitas fisik yang biasa saya lakukan. Jadi itu benar -benar terbayar dalam hal pelatihan dan sebagai pengalaman hidup sebagai orang yang penasaran. Itu hanya hebat.”
Itu menyebabkan Wembanyama untuk memberikan “tendangan nyata” pertamanya selama pelatihan Karate dan untuk meningkatkan jangkauan geraknya.
“Ini adalah musim panas terbaik saya sejauh ini,” kata Wembanyama. “Aku bisa mengatakan kemajuannya luar biasa. Aku merasa lebih baik, aku terlihat lebih kuat dan skalanya mengatakan aku lebih berat. Jadi semuanya adalah lampu hijau.”
Pelaporan oleh Associated Press.
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