San Antonio Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama may return to the court this summer. French sports journalist Maxime Aubin reported that Wembanyama is set to undergo surgery following a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right shoulder.
Meanwhile, French national team coach Frédéric Fauthoux confirmed the news and remains optimistic about Wembanyama’s availability for the 2025 EuroBasket tournament. “He’s motivated to be part of the team,” Fauthoux stated.
🚨 Victor Wembanyama was recently expected to undergo surgery following the deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
French national team coach Frédéric Fauthoux announced it today, adding he’s hopeful that Wemby will participate in the EuroBasket tournament this summer.…
— Maxime Aubin (@MaximeAubin1) March 27, 2025
Victor Wembanyama’s EuroBasket Availability Following Surgery
This is great news not only for Wembanyama but for the French national team and the San Antonio Spurs. The French phenom has proven to be one of the best basketball players on the planet despite his age and little time in the NBA. Not only could he play this summer, but that means Wembanyama will likely be ready in time for the 2025-26 season.
France will participate in the EuroBasket tournament as a member of Group D, where it will compete against Poland, Slovenia, Israel, Belgium, and Iceland. During the group stage, each team will play against every other team in the group. The top four teams from the group will then advance to the final phase, which will take place in Riga from Sept. 6 to Sept. 14.
Spurs’ Struggles Mount With Tough Losses This Season
Wembanyama’s sophomore season was cut abruptly after the Spurs diagnosed a blood clot in his right shoulder. This put a massive dent in the Spurs’ play-in chances this season. The losses for the Spurs didn’t stop there, as legendary coach Gregg Popovich and All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox were ruled out for the season.
Popovich has been away from coaching since Nov. 2, when he required medical attention at the arena before the Spurs’ game that night. A week after sharing the update on Wembanyama, the Spurs officially ruled Popovich out for the remainder of the season.
Less than a month later, the team also announced that Fox would miss the rest of the season due to tendon damage in his left pinkie. The 27-year-old guard appeared in just 17 games for San Antonio. The Spurs acquired him on Feb. 2 after he had spent more than seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings. During his time with the Spurs, Fox averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from beyond the arc in 34.0 minutes per contest.
Wembanyama Already on Path to a Hall of Fame Career
The 21-year-old phenom is well on his way to a Hall of Fame type of career. Wembanyama is already a one-time All-Star, 2023-24 NBA All-Defensive First Team member, 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie First Team, and 2023-24 NBA blocks leader. Wembanyama would have made one of the three All-NBA teams and likely would have won his first Defensive Player of the Year if it weren’t for his injury.
Nonetheless, Wembanyama is on the right path. In due time, he will again be a problem for the opposition. Next season should be a sight to behold for the Spurs, and many after that as well.
Photo credit: © Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
