Looking ahead to next season, the San Antonio Spurs could be ready to take a significant step forward — especially if they get a healthy De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama back on the court, along with the addition of new talent and continued development from their current players.
Wembanyama appears fully committed to that progress. Speaking publicly for the first time since his season ended early due to deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, the young star expressed determination to return stronger. According to Mike Malone of The Athletic, Wembanyama said:
“I won’t go into too much detail because I still have a lot of work ahead, but I’m motivated, and I’ll be ready.”
Despite his early exit, Wembanyama had an outstanding rookie campaign, averaging 24.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. He was firmly in the running for Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All-NBA team before his injury forced him off the court. His defensive presence was unmatched — even though he played only 46 games, he still led the NBA in blocked shots with 176, finishing 28 ahead of second-place Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks.
When asked if his injury — which can have lingering effects — had changed his long-term outlook, Wembanyama gave a thoughtful response, focusing on gratitude and perspective.
“It’s really about how you choose to look at it,” he said. “The care I received here, from everyone involved, has been top-tier. From hospital visits to recovery, I feel like I got the best treatment possible. In hindsight, I consider myself fortunate… Everyone in this locker room, everyone in the league, we deal with what we’re given. I still count myself among the luckiest people, so I have no complaints. This is just a minor setback.”
Wembanyama’s positive mindset, combined with his immense talent, is a promising sign for the Spurs as they look to turn the corner in the upcoming season.
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