Bosh warns Wembanyama, reveals he was close to death in January

Former NBA player Chris Bosh, who was forced to retire at 31 because of venous thrombosis, has issued a warning to young league star Victor Wembanyama. Bosh also revealed that he recently faced a life-threatening health setback himself.

Wembanyama dealt with a similar diagnosis during the 2024/25 season, yet managed to return to the court and win the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. Bosh stressed that the Frenchman must expect to take medication regularly and follow a strict health routine. In his view, those around Wembanyama should make sure he sticks to the medical advice, as Bosh himself experienced more than one blood clot, and the second episode ended his career. The former player said Wembanyama needs to do everything possible to keep the clot as thin as possible and take care of his body away from basketball.

As Bosh's own case shows, even proper care and daily medication may not prevent a recurrence. He disclosed that in January this year he suffered another pulmonary embolism and spent about a week in hospital. According to Bosh, he was essentially dead and brought back to life. He had been taking medicine every day and taking care of himself, and there were no prior symptoms. Now he realises he will have to live with the condition for the rest of his life.

Over his career, Bosh won two NBA championships, appeared in 11 All-Star Games and was once named to the All-NBA Second Team.