Victor Wembanyama isn’t afraid to chart his own path, whether in his NBA career, his training or his pursuit of a championship with the San Antonio Spurs.
The 22-year-old French superstar offered a glimpse into his life on and off the court during an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
Wembanyama reflected on his NBA Finals heartbreak, a health scare, his training habits and his vision for a new era of Spurs basketball. He also shared candid thoughts about living in the United States, the responsibility that comes with being an NBA superstar and why he refuses to wait patiently for a championship.
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Here are some of the biggest revelations from the interview.
Wembanyama reflects on NBA Finals heartbreak
Wembanyama reflected on his aggressive play during last season’s playoff run, when the Spurs reached the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
“It showed my limits more than anything else,” Wembanyama told Wertheim. “Going out there, you need to play basketball. You don’t need to beat the (expletive) out of people if you want to win, at least.”
His comments followed several controversial playoff encounters, including an ejection for elbowing then-Timberwolves forward Naz Reid in the neck and an incident in which Wembanyama shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in the face while setting a screen.
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The incidents helped cast Wembanyama as a villain during the Finals. Wertheim asked whether that bothered him.
“No, it didn’t, because I’m not paying attention to (that) during the Finals,” Wembanyama said.
Wembanyama said Game 4 in New York was the most painful moment of his basketball career.
“It’s the most intense heartbreak moment in my career,” he said.
Walking through the fog barefoot: Wemby embraces the unknown
At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama combines size, athleticism and skill in a way rarely seen in NBA history.
That combination presents challenges. Unlike many NBA stars, he said, he has no established blueprint to follow in his career or training.
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“I am comfortable not knowing my answers,” Wembanyama said. “I am comfortable walking through the fog.”
That uncertainty has shaped his approach to training, which goes beyond traditional basketball workouts.
The Spurs center said he spends considerable time strengthening his feet, which he believes are essential to his long-term health and longevity. He said foot strength and posture can affect alignment and development elsewhere in the body, including the knees, hips and back.
To strengthen the muscles in his feet, Wembanyama often walks and practices barefoot and wears minimalist shoes when possible. He said his feet are stronger now than they were two or five years ago, but he continues experimenting with ways to improve.
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A life-changing health scare and a desire to promote better habits
A blood clot in Wembanyama’s shoulder, which prematurely ended his second NBA season in 2025, changed his perspective on life.
“After that it’s like, life is so short, I don’t even wanna waste it being somebody else,” he said.
The experience made him more comfortable speaking his mind and less concerned about how others perceive him. He also wants to use his growing influence as one of the NBA’s biggest stars to promote what he considers positive messages.
Wembanyama said professional athletes have considerable freedom to shape their public image through social media, business ventures and endorsements. Players can become influencers or promote products such as gambling and alcohol, he said, but he wants a different approach.
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“I want to promote healthy things, and healthy, I don’t mean just the food, but healthy habits, things that make people’s lives better,” Wembanyama said
What Wembanyama really thinks about living in America
Wembanyama has embraced San Antonio, but said his experience in the United States differs from that of most Americans.
“I don’t live a normal life in the U.S.,” he said. “I live the life of an athlete, of a rich person.”
He described the United States as the best country to be a professional athlete, in part because ambition is accepted.
“It feels like you’re never judged for being ambitious,” he said.
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He also suggested that social interactions in the United States can feel more superficial and less meaningful than in other countries.
Family, France and nourishing his spirit
Wembanyama said returning to France this summer and spending time with loved ones was essential to his emotional well-being. He saw his siblings, family and friends almost daily while continuing his basketball training.
“Nothing comes close to this in terms of nourishing,” he said.
Wembanyama also hosted several Spurs teammates in Paris, introducing them to his home country and culture.
“It did more for me than for them that they came,” he said. “It goes straight to my heart.”
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Why Wembanyama refuses to wait for an NBA championship
Wembanyama also discussed his championship ambitions and described a “love-hate relationship” with patience.
“The best thing to do is to have patience while trying to fight it as well,” he said. “There’s no reason I would wait.”
He was just as direct about his individual goals. Wembanyama acknowledged he didn’t deserve last season’s NBA Most Valuable Player award, but made his expectations for this season clear.
“I should win it this year, though,” he said, laughing.
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This article originally published at Victor Wembanyama opens up about NBA Finals heartbreak, new era for Spurs in ’60 Minutes’ interview.
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