The San Antonio Spurs quietly had one of the busier offseasons in the NBA, signing impact players like Luke Kornet and Lindy Waters III, trading for Kelly Olynyk, and drafting Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper.
All of those moves should impact winning, but they were all overshadowed by Victor Wembanyama’s busy summer.
After missing much of last season with blood clots, Wembanyama was spotted in China, Japan, France, and Costa Rica this summer and took the internet by storm after spending multiple weeks at a Shaolin Temple.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: (L-R) Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James speak onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Stephon Castle Reacts to Victor Wembanyama’s Summer
In China, Wembanyama was cut off from the outside world for the most part, although videos of him with a shaved head, doing balance work, practicing kung fu, and doing strength training all surfaced.
Not a traditional way to spend the summer, but given that he wasn’t cleared to resume basketball activities until July 14th, it makes sense that he would take an unorthodox approach.
Spurs teammate Stephon Castle offered his reaction to Wembanyama’s unconventional summer.
“I know it helped him mentally,” Castle told Athlon’s Steve Driscoll. “I know that’s a big commitment to make. So, I mean, just if he can make a commitment on something like that outside of what he does every day in basketball, then, you know, sky’s the limit.”
Wembanyama has been praised for his mental traits just as much as his physical ones, dating back to before he was even drafted.
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 16: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs walk off the court after a game against the Dallas Mavericksat American Airlines Center on November 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Wembanyama, Castle Expected to Take a Leap
Even without adding De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline last season, the Spurs would be expected to take a leap. Wembanyama has emerged as a superstar, as Castle showed two-way flashes last season en route to winning Rookie of the Year.
On top of that, the Spurs have a well-rounded supporting cast with limited weaknesses.
With Wembanyama deemed fully healthy and seemingly in an excellent mental place, the Spurs, led by their French superstar, are finally ready to enter playoff contention, with the possibility of going on a deep run looming.
“We have aspirations to succeed in the playoffs this year, not just make the playoffs. So, you know, I don’t really want to put a ceiling on it,” Castle added.
Wembanyama is seen as the fifth-best player in the NBA, and with a fine-tuned roster surrounding him, he could play meaningful basketball for the first time in his NBA career.
Victor Wembanyama’s Teammate Reacts to Busy Offseason