What is thrombosis? Chris Bosh, Victor Wembanyama and the NBA players who have previously dealt with it

The San Antonio Spurs were looking to break into the Play-In Tournament race out of the All-Star break. But on Thursday, the entire league was hit with shocking news about superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Just hours ahead of the Spurs’ home game against the Suns, the team announced that Wembanyama had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition would force Wembanyama to miss the rest of the season. It’s a massive blow to the Spurs and a scary situation for Wembanyama who looked like a lock to win Defensive Player of the Year.

The Spurs do expect Wembanyama to make a recovery for next season, but he isn’t alone among NBA players who have dealt with the condition.

What is thrombosis?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, thrombosis is a blood clot inside one of your blood vessels.

Thrombosis happens when something damages the inner lining of your blood vessel (endothelium) or slows blood flow. In either case, cells in your blood start to stick together when they shouldn’t.

The condition can be life threatening, but thankfully, the team has a positive prognosis for Wembanyama.

What other NBA players have dealt with it?

Chris Bosh unfortunately was forced to retire at age 32 due to blood clotting in his lung.

The Pistons’ Ausar Thompson had his rookie season come to and end after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in March of last year. He returned in November and has appeared in 33 games this season.

Brandon Ingram required surgery in 2019 after thoracic outlet syndrome caused a blood clot in his right arm in 2019. He made a full recovery.

Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko also missed extended time in 2023 with a blood-clot issue.