The San Antonio Spurs didn’t need Victor Wembanyama to get scarier — but he did anyway. The 21-year-old is now officially listed at 7-foot-4, an inch taller than last season, while also spending the offseason adding strength to his frame. For a league already struggling to deal with his length, skill, and instincts, another inch of height feels unfair.
But Wembanyama’s growth wasn’t just physical. His summer was full of experiences, training, and lessons that could shape both his game and the Spurs’ future.
Spurs’ Defensive Anchor Gets Even Taller
Media day confirmed what had been whispered over the summer: Wembanyama grew again. After being listed at 7-foot-3 a year ago, he now stands 7-foot-4, tying Memphis big man Zach Edey as the tallest player in the NBA.
Already the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama’s added inch makes an already impossible defensive challenge even tougher. Offensively, the Spurs expect his bulked-up frame to help him absorb contact and hold up over an 82-game grind.
“I’ve been eating a lot,” Wembanyama joked, “but I don’t think I’ll be obese anytime soon.”
A Summer Unlike Any Other
Instead of retreating quietly, Wembanyama embraced an offseason packed with unusual experiences. He trained with Shaolin monks in China, practicing kung fu and even adopting a vegan diet during his stay. He also worked with legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett, blending old-school wisdom with his modern skill set.
The French star even hosted a chess tournament, the “Hoop Gambit,” in his hometown, drawing crowds that rivaled Spurs home games. And in true larger-than-life fashion, he capped it off with a trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center — an experience he called his favorite.
Spurs Count on Wembanyama’s Return
Behind the headlines and travel photos was a more serious reality: Wembanyama’s recovery from a blood clot in his shoulder. The diagnosis ended his season early and left the Spurs navigating life without their cornerstone.
Now fully cleared, Wembanyama says the experience changed him. “Spending so much time in hospitals, hearing more bad news than I wanted, it’s traumatic,” he admitted. “But it gave me perspective. Life isn’t forever. I’m going to miss as little as I can.”
That mindset only deepened his hunger to return. “I feel like I need to play basketball,” he said. “I’ve already maxed out what I could do off the court. Now I need to be on it.”
Building the Spurs in His Image
The Spurs are entering a new era under coach Mitch Johnson, who made it clear the franchise is building around Wembanyama’s strengths. “We want this team to be in the reflection of Victor,” Johnson said. “He’s our best player. He’s our guy.”
Wembanyama’s teammates, including Jeremy Sochan, have marveled at both his physical transformation and his mindset. “His rehab’s been going great,” Sochan said. “The way he looks is amazing.”
After a whirlwind summer, Wembanyama returns to the court taller, stronger, and more determined. For the Spurs, it’s not just about having one of the most unique players the NBA has ever seen. It’s about having a leader who views the game — and life — through a rare lens.
And if that means facing a 7-foot-4 defensive monster with kung fu training, the rest of the league has every reason to be terrified.