Victor Wembanyama’s Return
The highly anticipated return of Victor Wembanyama marks a significant moment for the San Antonio Spurs as they launch the 2025-26 NBA season. On Monday, the team gathered for their media day, where head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed Wembanyama’s full medical clearance following a health setback last season caused by deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. This condition cut his previous season short, prompting an absence of two crucial months.
Wembanyama’s Impact and Performance
The 7-foot-4 phenom, who previously earned accolades such as Rookie of the Year and a spot as a dubious contender for Defensive Player of the Year, now looks forward to revitalizing the Spurs’ chances of returning to the playoffs after a frustrating six-year drought—an unprecedented gap in the franchise’s history. Coach Johnson expressed optimism about Wembanyama’s readiness, stating:
“Victor’s cleared… He’s been ramping up. He’s been in a really good place.”
Fans of basketball everywhere can rest easy knowing that they will soon witness the return of a player who has already redefined expectations within the league, even with a relatively short career thus far. In just his initial months on the court, Wembanyama became an immediate sensation, concluding his last season with impressive averages of 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and a remarkable 3.8 blocks per game—which led the NBA. His high-performance metrics drew comparisons to all-time greats, as only five players in NBA history have matched his statistics combining points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals over a full season, with Wembanyama being in the select company of legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Defensive Prowess and Versatility
Notably, Wembanyama’s shot-blocking ability places him in a league of his own; he finished with the fifth-highest block rate in history, rejecting a staggering 10.1% of opponents’ two-point field goal attempts during his minutes on the floor. His versatility allows him to also log impressive figures in shooting, currently being the only player to average at least three made 3-pointers and a similar amount in blocks per game. Even with limited playtime, Wembanyama’s influence was evident as he ranked within the league’s top 10 across multiple advanced statistical categories.
Spurs’ Roster Optimization
With expectations soaring, the Spurs have been proactive in optimizing their roster around Wembanyama, most recently securing De’Aaron Fox with a substantial contract extension and bringing in Luke Kornet to bolster their bench strength. Additionally, the Spurs took a bold step by drafting Rutgers’ standout Dylan Harper as the second overall pick in this year’s draft as part of their strategy focused on Wembanyama’s long-term success.
Looking Ahead
As the Spurs gear up for the season, they not only boast a wealth of youthful talent—highlighted by last year’s Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle—but also carry the pressure of transforming this talented roster into a playoff-contending team. With Wembanyama back in action and fresh off a summer of recovery and speculation, the Spurs are primed to embark on a pivotal season, with aspirations of playing meaningful basketball when spring rolls around.
