Spurs coach Mitch Johnson welcomed Victor Wembanyama back to the court and said the All-Star was cleared by the team and league to return from deep vein thrombosis.
“Victor’s cleared,” Johnson said of his plan for Wembanyama in training camp. “He’s been cleared by our medical team and by the league. … He’s been ramping up. He’s been in a really good place.”
Wembanyama was shut down in February and averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, an NBA-leading 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his second season.
Wembanyama underwent surgery in March after being diagnosed with the blood clotting issue in his right shoulder. He announced in mid-July he was cleared by the Spurs to play basketball for the first time in four months.
Wembanyama played in 46 games before the medical diagnosis in February forced him to miss the rest of the season and San Antonio finished 13th in the Western Conference.
“I can assure you no one has trained like I have this summer,” Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 said on Monday. “I’m so much under control and my conditioning is better. What I have done this summer is world class.”
The return of Wembanyama is welcome news for the league, but there was a bit of negative news for his opponents on Monday. The 21-year-old grew from his draft-day height of 7 feet, 3 1/2 inches and is officially 7-foot-4. He’s now tied with Grizzlies center Zach Edey as the tallest active player in the league.
The Spurs drafted Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick and signed point guard De’Aaron Fox to a four-year, $229 million contract. Fox averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds after joining the Spurs via trade from the Sacramento Kings.
Harper said Monday he is “feeling good” after undergoing thumb surgery and doesn’t anticipate being limited in preseason.
He had surgery on his left pinkie this summer and is currently not expected to play in the preseason while recovering from a right hamstring injury.
Fox, who is set to begin his ninth season, said Monday he doesn’t expect to “be ready for opening night.”
The Spurs open the 2025-26 season on Oct. 22 against the Mavericks in Dallas.
