VICTOR WEMBANYAMA looks totally different – after choosing a retreat almost as surprising as the medical condition that ended his season.
The NBA hero is battling back from a rare diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder four months ago.
Victor Wembanyama met the press earlier this month, having been ruled out for the rest of the season with a rare diagnosis[/caption]
And the Frenchman, who is on a $55million deal with San Antonio Spurs, has opted for a 10-day stay at a Chinese monastery.
Wembanyama, 21, is content to remain isolated for large spells as he focuses on his recuperation and all-round well-being.
The 7ft 3ins center has scarcely been seen in public since his fitness scare.
And when he was spotted at a famous Buddhist monastery in central China this week, he managed to both stand out and look unrecognisable.
Wembanyama’s head was shaved and he wore grey robes, while he also took part in prayers at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province.
But he was in more familiar training gear when he jogged in a forest.
Quite a change from footage that emerged two months ago – of Wembanyama playing SOCCER in Costa Rica, when he soared way above everyone else to win spectacular headers.
It all shows he’s well on the way to full health – after suffering an issue that can be deadly serious.
Luckily, Spurs believe his thrombosis was an “isolated” case.
And they expect to have him back for the 2025-26 NBA season, starting in October.
Wembanyama was a big presence playing soccer in Costa Rica[/caption]
A vein thrombosis is caused when blood begins to clot in deeper veins.
It can cause major problems if the clogs loosen and moves through the bloodstream into the lungs.
If it gets to the heart and pulmonary arteries, blood flow can be blocked.
And without proper treatment, that situation could even become life-threatening.
Sufferers are usually given blood-thinning medication and banned from contact sport until they recover.
And aside from the joy of seeing Wembanyama recovery, his comeback will also be eagerly awaited because of his astonishing potential.
His thrombosis emerged shortly after his first All-Star Game game.
And he finished 2023-24 as NBA Rookie of the year.
Wembanyama led the league stats for blocked shots and made the All-Defensive First Team selection.
He is one of the NBA’s hottest prospects[/caption]
