NBA Star Victor Wembanyama Sidelined by Life-Threatening Blood Clot
San Antonio Spurs’ standout Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-2025 NBA season due to a serious blood clot, the league announced Thursday.
The 21-year-old French player, last season’s Rookie of the Year, has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder. DVT is a potentially dangerous condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel through the bloodstream and block critical organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs, potentially leading to life-threatening complications like heart attacks or pulmonary embolisms.
While DVT is most commonly associated with the legs—often occurring after prolonged periods of immobility, such as during long flights or bed rest—it can also develop in the upper body. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk factors for DVT include major surgery, severe muscle injuries, fractures, and extended periods of inactivity.
Certain medical conditions can also increase the likelihood of developing blood clots. The Cleveland Clinic notes that individuals over 40, those with cancer, heart disease, lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or autoimmune disorders like lupus, are at higher risk. Additional risk factors include smoking, obesity, a family history of clotting disorders, the use of oral contraceptives or hormone therapy, and previous DVT cases, according to the American Heart Association.
Wembanyama’s condition will require careful medical management, and his return to the court will depend on his recovery.
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