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Victor Wembanyama has opened up about how a thrombosis diagnosis earlier in 2025 reshaped his outlook on life and his sense of self. The San Antonio Spurs center discussed the condition, his connection to the franchise, and a humility lesson he has carried from coach Gregg Popovich during a recent interview with 60 Minutes.
The thrombosis scare that changed everything
Wembanyama described the moment he stopped hiding his emotions and became comfortable being fully himself in public. He pointed directly to his 2025 health scare as the turning point.
“I think the condition I had, 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,” he said.
The Frenchman’s words carry weight given how serious the diagnosis was at the time. A blood clot condition of that nature can sideline or even end careers, and Wembanyama’s willingness to speak candidly about it signals how much the experience affected him beyond basketball.
Bringing the Spurs to France
Wembanyama also reflected on hosting his teammates in France during a short summer camp. He wanted to share his culture with them, though the experience ended up meaning more to him than he expected.
“I wanted to show them the refinement at times, but also how I would take care of them, because it really matters to me. But it did more for me than for them that they came, because I don’t know, it just think it goes straight to my heart,” he said.
Wembanyama praises Popovich, explains Spurs connection
Asked what made San Antonio the right fit, Wembanyama listed several factors that drew him to the organization.
“The franchise with the greatest coach of all time. The franchise with a big French history as well. Yeah, just a winning, a winner’s franchise, you know,” he explained.
Wembanyama’s production this season reflects why the fit has worked so well on the court.
| MIN | 32.4 |
| PTS | 28 |
| FG% | 54.4% |
| REB | 10.7 |
| AS | 3 |
He then named humility as the single biggest lesson he has learned from Popovich, one that surfaces regularly during film sessions.
“One lesson that often comes up is about humility. He often said something when we were in film: ‘after a win, you’re rarely as good as you thought you were, and after a loss, you’re rarely as bad as you thought you were.'”
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That balance, staying grounded in victory and defeat alike, appears central to how Wembanyama approaches both his development and his renewed outlook on life. Stay with TipsGG for continued coverage of Wembanyama and the Spurs as the season progresses.