The San Antonio Spurs had a busy offseason, drafting Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, and adding veteran centers Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. Somehow, it seems Victor Wembanyama was even busier.
After missing the final half of last season with deep vein thrombosis, Wembanyama spent the summer training with monks, vacationing in Costa Rica, and cheering on France at EuroBasket from the sidelines. He attracted international attention for his individual offseason.
Wembanyama is back in playing shape, cleared for all basketball activities, and ready to pick up where he left off.
At media day, the Spurs’ superstar sent a scary message to the rest of the NBA.
Victor Wembanyama Sends Message to NBA Rivals
Even before he was drafted, Wembanyama was heralded for being grounded. Since entering the NBA, his lack of distractions and pure work ethic have left an impression on his peers.
This summer, it sounds like there were no days off.
“I can assure you nobody has trained like I did this summer,” he claimed at media day. “And this is my best summer so far. I can tell the progress is just incredible. I feel better. I look stronger. And, you know, the scale says I’m heavier.”
Last summer, Wembanyama put on roughly 30 pounds, although there were still concerns that he was too skinny. Official measurements are yet to come in, although he’s certain he’s added muscle.
“What I’ve done this summer is world-class,” he added. “In the field of professional sports, I don’t think many people have trained the way we’ve trained this summer.”
Ceiling for Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
According to an ESPN survey and ranking, Wembanyama is the fifth-best player in the world.
Last season, he expanded on his offensive game, took more 3-pointers than he did in his rookie season, and remained the best defender in the league. This season, provided he remains healthy, he is expected to dominate on both ends of the floor.
“I’m only going to get so much better,” he warned.
The Spurs have not been to the playoffs since 2019. With Wembanyama and new wingman De’Aaron Fox running the offense, they are expected to be right in the middle of the race. The Western Conference is as crowded as ever, but Wembanyama could finish the season as the best player in the world, and it would hardly be a surprise.
If he can top out as the greatest player currently suited up this season, it sounds like he would be the least shocked, even including his millions of fans.