Although Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the rest of the NBA season in late February, his impact on the San Antonio Spurs remains undeniable. Even off the court, the young sensation has continued to be a consistent and motivating presence for his teammates. As the Spurs returned home from the annual “Rodeo Road Trip,” Wembanyama’s influence was more evident than ever.
Though sidelined, Wembanyama’s spirit has remained strong, especially as the team navigated the challenges of a long road trip. Teammates like De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle believe his presence would have been even more noticeable if not for the road swing. “I feel like y’all would’ve seen him a lot more if it wasn’t for the rodeo,” Castle commented according to Clutchpoints’ Hector Ledesma. Fox added, “I mean, if he could fly, he would,” referring to the blood clot injury that prematurely ended Wembanyama’s season.
Despite the injury potentially derailing the Spurs’ postseason hopes, Wembanyama has remained a guiding light for the team. His leadership off the court has only grown stronger in the face of adversity.
Wembanyama: A leader from the bench
The news that Wembanyama would no longer play this season came during the All-Star break, between games in San Francisco and Austin. Since then, the Spurs have struggled, losing five of their last seven games, including their first game back from the road trip. Still, Wembanyama’s desire to stay involved has been unwavering. “He wants to be around. He wants to still support his teammates, obviously, doing the limited things that he’s able to do,” said Fox.
Having a teammate like Wembanyama around is a boon for the team. “Everyone calls him a generational talent, but what’s really impressive is the type of person he is,” Fox continued. “He wants everybody around him to succeed. He’s just a blessing to be around, and a great energy to be around.”
Constant communication and unwavering support
Wembanyama’s dedication to staying involved with the team has been evident in his consistent communication. “He’s sending texts in the group whenever we’re on the road,” Castle said. “He’s watching every single second of the game, giving us feedback on what he thinks. He’s just a great person to be around.”
One example of this was Wembanyama’s text after the Spurs’ first game without him, a win against the Phoenix Suns. “He’s still super connected with the team,” Fox said. “He’s not isolating himself. I know he wants to be out there, but he’s making sure he’s still part of the team.”
Wembanyama: A lasting presence
Even during a brief stop in San Antonio between games in Houston and Memphis, the Spurs were able to catch up with their star teammate. Wembanyama continues to play an active role in the team’s journey, even if it’s just from the sidelines. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” Castle said about seeing Wembanyama’s support in person. “He was at our practice the other day. That’s just the kind of person he is.”
Though the Spurs miss having Wembanyama on the court, his influence extends beyond his on-court talent. He has proven that leadership and connection with teammates go beyond the game itself.