Victor Wembanyama explains how he trains and thinks on the court

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama says there is no existing guide for how to play the game with his specific physical tools. Standing at 7-foot-4 and aged 22, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year admitted that he is still figuring out the best way to use his size and skill. He described the process as being comfortable with not having all the answers yet.

Wembanyama looked back at the 2025-26 season with mixed feelings. He noted that the Spurs did not lose a single game in February of last year, a period he said felt like everything clicked for the team. That momentum carried the Spurs into the Western Conference finals, where they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the team fell short in the NBA Finals, losing in five games to the New York Knicks.

The Spurs were the favored team in that championship series. Wembanyama acknowledged that he was not playing at his peak performance during the loss. He said he was portrayed as a villain by some during the Finals, but that label did not bother him. He viewed the series as a clear demonstration of his current limits. He added that the goal is to win, not just to overpower opponents.

Wembanyama is in his fourth NBA season. He was a teenager in France when scouts first noticed him, and he was considered the most anticipated rookie since LeBron James 20 years ago. He said joining the Spurs was the right fit because of the team's history and coaching. He specifically mentioned Gregg Popovich, who retired in 2025 after leading the Spurs to five NBA titles.

Popovich taught Wembanyama humility, a lesson Wembanyama still applies. He recalled Popovich telling the team that after a win, players are rarely as good as they think, and after a loss, they are rarely as bad as they think. This perspective helps Wembanyama stay grounded regardless of the team's recent results.

After a blood clot in his shoulder ended his second season, Wembanyama changed how he trains his body. He focused heavily on strengthening his feet because he believes they support the health of his knees, hips, and back. He practices barefoot when he can and wears minimalist shoes. He says this helps develop proper foot posture and overall strength.

Wembanyama also uses meditation and chess to sharpen his mind. He traveled to China in the summer of 2025 to learn kung fu and meditation from Shaolin monks. He said the experience was difficult because the monks pushed him to higher levels of focus. He also studies chess, noting that it teaches decision-making skills that translate to basketball. This past summer, he returned to France to run a tournament that combines chess and basketball.