Victor Wembanyama is cleared to return to basketball after recovery

In France, professional basketball player Victor Wembanyama has officially been cleared to return to the court following a medical issue that forced him to end his season prematurely. The San Antonio Spurs star was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder earlier this year, leading to significant downtime for the talented player. Having undergone surgery in March, Wembanyama was sidelined and missed opportunities that could have seen him named Defensive Player of the Year, an award for which he was the leading candidate. Despite his clearance to play again, Wembanyama expressed that he still has considerable work to do to regain his former playing condition. He admitted to having not played full 5-on-5 basketball for five months and highlighted that while he felt relieved to return to the sport, there are numerous aspects of his game he needs to refine. His physical and mental recovery from the injury is progressing, with the Spurs medical team providing support throughout his rehabilitation process to ensure he can safely ease back into competitive play. The 21-year-old ambitious player has also used this time to travel, including visits to a Shaolin temple in China, which helped him focus on mental discipline and traditional practices that could enhance his game. Having been a standout performer in the 2023-24 season, where he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists before his injury, Wembanyama remains a crucial figure for the Spurs and is expected to be a leading contender for the Defensive Player of the Year in the upcoming season. Anticipation and excitement surround his return as fans and analysts alike believe he could was on track to achieve significant accolades and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a potential championship run. Committed to his recovery, he is focused on transitioning back into game-ready form and overcoming the challenges that accompany returning from a serious injury.