How blood clots ended the career of a Texas-native NBA All-Star

San Antonio Spur Victor Wembanyama (left) and former Miami Heat superstar Chris Bosh.

Getty Images: Winslow Townson, Ezra Shaw

Spurs fans are heartbroken over the health of French phenom Victor Wembanyama. The 21-year-old has received a season-ending diagnosis that is giving Miami Heat fans PTSD over what happened to NBA champion Chris Bosh 10 years ago.

Wembanyama was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder on Thursday afternoon, February 20. The blood clot was diagnosed after the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16, and is expected to keep Wemby out for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots form, primarily in a person’s leg, but it can happen in arms or other parts of the body. DVT can be fatal if blood clots break up and travel through the bloodstream before getting stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow.

Bosh, a Dallas native, was also a highly-coveted first-round pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He played 13 seasons with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat, winning championships with Miami in 2012 and 2013, but his career was cut short at 32 years old.

The Miami superstar was admitted to a hospital during All-Star Weekend in 2015, where doctors found blood clots in his lungs which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season. He returned for the 2015-16 season and was chosen to participate in the 3-point contest and All-Star game, but what was initially believed to be a right calf strain was diagnosed as another blood clot. It ended his season for the second straight year.

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He attempted to return but in 2017 a doctor’s medical review confirmed that the 2002 Texas Mr. Basketball’s career was over. His No. 1 jersey was retired by the Miami Heat on March 26, 2019.

Fans are already comparing the two big men as the news spreads about Wembanyama’s injury.

Seeing Wemby having a form of blood clot hurts after what Chris Bosh went through.

Still feel for CB. Hope Wemby gets well

— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) February 20, 2025

That’s the first thing I thought of. Still hurts that Chris Bosh was forced into retirement. Probably would’ve retired with Wade and Haslem.

I hope since it’s 2025 now that Wemby is healthy and comes back in full form

— Gian | Jey Uso is a entrance merchant (@GianFl305) February 20, 2025

It’s like déjà vu, but hopefully with a better outcome for Wemby.

— Richard Ward 지앰프 (@zeampzpvy) February 20, 2025

Chris Bosh would like to tell you how quickly it can ruin a long big man’s career

— Mark (@blahwhatsam) February 20, 2025

While NBA fans are thinking of the worst possible outcome for Wemby and reliving the trauma from the Bosh saga, it isn’t all over for the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year. Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right arm when he was a Los Angeles Laker in 2019 and still is in the league today.