SAN ANTONIO — As Victor Wembanyama blocked yet another shot in practice, Julian Champagnie had a realization. One by one, Spurs players were taking turns going at their 7-foot-4 star, each meeting the same fate: rejection.
The drill looked exhausting for everyone — except Wembanyama never got a break.
He guarded every player in the gym one-on-one, back-to-back, without rest. When he finished the lineup, he sprinted to the other end and started again.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work out like that,” Champagnie said. “It’s crazy to see.”
That relentless intensity defined Wembanyama’s summer — a summer that started with a terrifying wake-up call.
A Scare That Changed Everything
Last February, a blood clot abruptly ended Wembanyama’s season. For a 21-year-old phenom who had dominated his rookie year, it was more than a medical issue — it was a moment that forced him to face his own mortality.
Unable to play, he spent weeks in doctor’s offices and on the sidelines, reflecting on life without basketball. When he finally got clearance to travel again, he decided to do something drastic: leave the U.S. and rediscover himself.
A Journey to Rebuild Mind and Body
Wembanyama began his recovery journey in Asia, traveling through China and Japan. In Zhengzhou, he spent time at a Shaolin temple, practicing meditation and Shaolin Kung Fu — ancient disciplines centered on focus, gratitude, and balance.
“It makes you understand lessons that nothing else could,” he said.
That trip gave him perspective — not just on basketball, but on life. “There’s a big feeling that life isn’t forever,” he said. “I want to experience as much as I can.”
When he returned home, he wasn’t just healed. He was transformed — mentally sharper and spiritually grounded.
The Hardest Training of His Life
Once cleared for full workouts, Wembanyama went into overdrive.
“My training this summer was brutal,” he said. “I chose to do something much more violent. Maybe it took time away from shooting, but it doesn’t matter — I wanted to get my body back.”
The results are already showing. He’s stronger, heavier, and more explosive. But the mental shift might be even more important.
Learning Through Chaos
During his recovery, Wembanyama trained in Los Angeles with veteran Harrison Barnes and skill coach Noah LaRoche, using the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) — a method that replaces traditional drills with game-like scenarios.
Instead of rehearsing set moves, players react to live situations, constantly solving new problems.
“Vic is big on learning,” Champagnie said. “Anything Noah told him, he picked it up instantly.”
By week two, Wembanyama said his body began to “understand” the rhythm of this new training. It wasn’t about memorizing plays — it was about reading the game on instinct.
“He just flowed,” Champagnie said. “It looked effortless.”
The Daily Grind
Back in San Antonio, Wembanyama’s discipline quickly became legend. He was the first one in and the last one out — often training twice a day, six days a week.
“At his age, it’s eye-opening,” said newcomer Lindy Waters III. “He demands greatness — and he earns it.”
Even Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, now leading the team after Gregg Popovich’s stroke last season, says Wembanyama’s approach sets the tone for the entire roster.
“I want this team to be a reflection of Victor,” Johnson said. “He thinks about the smallest details and how to add them to his mindset. I wasn’t thinking like that at his age.”
A Leader With Purpose
At media day, Wembanyama made it clear what his priority is this season: defense.
“From the first preseason game, defense is non-negotiable,” he said. “If you want to be part of this team, you play defense. No exceptions.”
His teammates are inspired. They’ve seen every dunk, every block — yet it’s his dedication that amazes them most.
“It’s super motivating,” Champagnie said. “His mind is set on one thing — being the best. He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Eyes on the Future
After everything he’s been through — the medical scare, the world travels, the grueling workouts — Wembanyama feels reborn.
“I’m so much more under control, and my conditioning is world-class,” he said. “I don’t think many people, even in professional sports, have trained like we did this summer.”
He knows the risks. The blood clot could return, just as it did for Chris Bosh, who retired at 32. But Wembanyama refuses to live in fear.
“I can assure you, nobody has trained like I did this summer,” he said. “I feel better, stronger, heavier — everything’s a green light.”
The Spurs star is ready for what comes next — not just to play basketball, but to live every moment like it could be his last.