moranelkarifnews : Victor Wembanyama says Spurs have medically cleared him months after blood clot ended his season

Four months after a blood clot ended his season early, Victor Wembanyama has been medically cleared to play basketball, per French outlet L’Équipe. The San Antonio Spurs star was shut down in February after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

Wembanyama, who has not participated in basketball activities since the diagnosis, was seen on the sideline at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Friday. While he was there, the French center told L’Équipe’s Maxime Aubin that he had been cleared by the Spurs earlier that day.

“I’m officially cleared to return. It just happened — I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just a few hours ago (last Friday). Phew, I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again!” Wembanyama said, via Aubin.

Wembanyama was diagnosed with the clot after appearing in his first NBA All-Star Game. After returning to San Antonio, the young center told medical staff that his arm didn’t feel right and the clot was discovered after additional testing.

The Spurs have consistently said that the 21-year-old star would recover in time for next season, but could not estimate exactly when he would be cleared. The primary treatment for deep vein thrombosis is blood-thinning medication, making it difficult to determine an exact timeline for return.

In April, Wembanyama told reporters that he was “feeling good” in his recovery.

“We’re taking our time,” Wembanyama said. “I’m neither late or early, but it’s a process.”

Wembanyama is one of several NBA players who have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis over the years, though his young age and the location of his clot raised extra concern over the issue.

This season, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was diagnosed with the same type of clot in his leg one month after Wembanyama, but returned to the court during the playoffs. (He later suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, just three games into his return.)

Four months after a blood clot ended his season early, Victor Wembanyama has been medically cleared to play basketball, per French outlet L’Équipe. The San Antonio Spurs star was shut down in February after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

Wembanyama, who has not participated in basketball activities since the diagnosis, was seen on the sideline at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Friday. While he was there, the French center told L’Équipe’s Maxime Aubin that he had been cleared by the Spurs earlier that day.

“I’m officially cleared to return. It just happened — I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just a few hours ago (last Friday). Phew, I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again!” Wembanyama said, via Aubin.

Wembanyama was diagnosed with the clot after appearing in his first NBA All-Star Game. After returning to San Antonio, the young center told medical staff that his arm didn’t feel right and the clot was discovered after additional testing.

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The Spurs have consistently said that the 21-year-old star would recover in time for next season, but could not estimate exactly when he would be cleared. The primary treatment for deep vein thrombosis is blood-thinning medication, making it difficult to determine an exact timeline for return.

In April, Wembanyama told reporters that he was “feeling good” in his recovery.

“We’re taking our time,” Wembanyama said. “I’m neither late or early, but it’s a process.”

Wembanyama is one of several NBA players who have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis over the years, though his young age and the location of his clot raised extra concern over the issue.

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This season, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was diagnosed with the same type of clot in his leg one month after Wembanyama, but returned to the court during the playoffs. (He later suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, just three games into his return.)