Victor Wembanyama's life is defined by an early start in basketball, a family of athletes, and a strategic, long-term plan to prepare him for the NBA, including significant time spent training with mentors like Hakeem Olajuwon after a health scare. Despite facing early public attention and the physical challenges of his height, his career has seen rapid development, and he is now a celebrated generational talent for the San Antonio Spurs. Early life and athletic background Born in 2004, Wembanyama comes from an athletic family: his mother was a professional basketball player and his father was a track and field athlete. His older sister also plays professional basketball, and his younger brother is already tall and growing. He was introduced to basketball at age 10 by joining the Nanterre 92 youth program, where his unique skills as a ball-handler and shooter for his size quickly set him apart. He began competing against adult professionals at age 15, developing his skills in a demanding environment. Path to the NBA Wembanyama and his team developed a decade-long strategy to prepare him for the NBA, which included playing for a team built around him at Metropolitans 92 to handle the pressure of being a top pick. He played for the French national team in various age groups, garnering attention for his talent. He solidified his status as a top NBA prospect after a standout performance against Scoot Henderson in a G-League exhibition game. The San Antonio Spurs drafted him in 2023, with coach Gregg Popovich describing him as a "generational event". Recent career and mindset A blood clot in the 2024-2025 season, which caused him to miss significant playing time, gave him a new perspective on his health and career. He has committed to intense offseason training, including training with basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon, to focus on his physical strength and development. Despite setbacks like a recent calf strain, Wembanyama maintains a strong mentality and is focused on pushing himself to his maximum potential. He continues to develop his game on the court, with his playmaking skills being an area of focus as his dominance grows.