Victor Wembanyama injury history: Breaking down potential No. 1 pick's health issues

Sam Jarden

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Victor Wembanyama injury history: Breaking down potential No. 1 pick's health issues image

With the 2023 draft now just hours away, it's almost time for Victor Wembanyama to officially begin his NBA career. 

The 19-year-old Frenchman has been a near lock to go No. 1 overall for months. Standing around 7-foot-4, he possesses an impressive combination of size and skill that make him one of the most exciting prospects the sport has ever seen. He is widely considered the best prospect in a loaded 2023 draft class, and he has the potential to be a truly elite player for years to come. 

However, no prospect is perfect — even if Wembanyama is about as close as you can get. 

He has battled a few injuries in recent years, and his ability to stay healthy is the only true question mark surrounding his NBA future. With such a tall and lanky frame, there's some concern that Wembanyama could be more injury prone than your average player. 

Experts everywhere agree that if he can stay healthy, he'll be a star. But that "if" will rightfully make Spurs fans a little nervous. 

Here's a look into Wembanyama's injury history throughout his career on the hardwood.

MORE: See who goes No. 2 behind Victor Wembanyama in The Sporting News' latest NBA mock draft

Victor Wembanyama injury history 

Stress fracture in fibula — Dec. 2020

The first major injury in Wembanyama's pro career came in December of 2020 when he suffered a stress fracture in his fibula. The fracture happened when he was just 16 years old and playing for French team Nanterre 92.

It sidelined him for about three months, with his recovery lasting from Dec. 12, 2020 to March 13, 2021.

Fractured finger — Nov. 2021

Wembanyama made the switch to join ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne during the 2021 offseason. He suffered his first injury with his new team in November of that year, fracturing a finger. It put him out of commission for about a month, from Nov. 6 to Dec. 2. 

Bone contusion in shoulder — Dec. 2021

Less than two weeks after returning from the fractured finger, Wembanyama was sidelined once again after suffering a bone contusion in his right shoulder. It resulted in a much longer absence, this time for nearly two months from Dec. 15 to Feb. 11.

Psoas injury — June 2022

Wembanyama's latest injury setback came during the 2022 LNB Pro A Playoffs. With he and his ASVEL Villeurbanne teammates battling JDA Dijon in the semifinals, he was suddenly ruled out for the rest of the postseason on June 3 with an undisclosed muscle injury.

It was later reported by French media to be an injury to his psoas, which is a muscle that runs from the spine down through the groin and into the hip.

However, he made a full recovery and was able to play in every game this season for Metropolitans 92. That bodes well for his future in the NBA. 

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.