Victor Wembanyama’s Offseason Training Evident in First Game of 2025-26

Cover photo: Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs lets out a scream in the team’s opening game of the 2025-26 NBA season on Wednesday in Dallas, Texas. Photo credit: Stacy Revere, Getty Images.

Last season, Victor Wembanyama was limited to 46 games. In those 46, he averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game. Despite missing 36 contests, he led the NBA in total blocks (176), just as he had in his rookie season (254). 

The limited games thwarted the San Antonio Spurs’ playoff chances. The team was 23-29 at the time of Wembanyama’s injury (deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder was the culprit) and finished the season with a 34-48 record. 

This offseason, Wembanyama visited with Shaolin Monks (10 days in Zhengzhou, China) and soaked up knowledge from Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett. In the Spurs’ 2025-26 opener on Wednesday in Dallas against Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and the Mavericks, Wembanyama starred, and displayed noticeable differences in the Spurs’ 125-92 win. 

Where a lot of times in his first two seasons Wembanyama would frustratingly settle for outside shot attempts, he took liberty on Wednesday in going to the basket - a pump fake on Dereck Lively II and reverse dunk on one play, and a drive on Davis and dunk on another. A drive down the middle and a sweeping right hand flush. There were still flashes of Wembanyama’s perimeter game, like a step back triple plus the foul on Lively at the top of the arc. Wembanyama still handles a lot for a guy that truly if he desired could plant himself in the paint and score most times down the floor. But his new attacking style is refreshing. 

The Garnett influence is seen in the 21-year-old’s demeanor. After plays, he was expressive, while stoic on others. It is reminiscent of the type of demeanor that Garrett, one of the most intense players to ever play, exhibited. Also noticeable on one instance was Wembanyama taking the ball out of the air after the whistle, something that was a Garnett staple. 

Wembanyama does not just look improved, but he looks different. A mentality shift. I guess Monks and KG will do that to you. Now, he looks like an Area 51 descendant with an attitude. Frankly, it looked like a lot of the others did not belong on the court with him in his 40-point, 15-rebound, 3-block outing. Wembanyama was 15-of-21 from the field. Efficient. Did not settle much. Attacked. 

Last season’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle added 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Second overall draft choice Dylan Harper was 7-of-14 off the bench for 15 points in 23 minutes. The Spurs shot 57.5% as a group. Davis, 22 points and 13 rebounds, shot 7-of-22. Flagg struggled but picked up a bit in the second half and finished with 10 points (4-of-13 shooting) and 10 rebounds. The Mavericks will be fine and Flagg will figure it out. 

Wednesday was all Wembanyama though. The differences were noticeable. 

Surely, his offseason excursions and preparation had a lot to do with it.