Gained 18 kilograms in two years! Wembanyama transforms into a muscular powerhouse, potentially starting a dominant season

On September 20th Beijing time, Spurs media Sleeper Spurs posted a side-by-side photo showing Wembanyama’s body when he first entered the NBA and his current form. The visual highlights a striking physical transformation, accompanied by the phrase: "Crazy metamorphosis."

Very few players have the kind of breakout potential that Wembanyama does. He is already among the top 15 players in the NBA, and if he fully realizes his talent, he could become a top-five superstar next season.

Judging by his offseason activities, he is steadily moving toward that goal. Recent reports indicate he has been training with Olajuwon, aiming to enhance his post moves. Now, the photos reveal his astonishing physical development.

Wembanyama’s physique has become noticeably more muscular, clearly reaching the peak condition of his career. Moreover, his weight has increased significantly—from 225 pounds (about 102 kg) when he joined the NBA to 265 pounds (around 120 kg) now, according to his own account.

Typically, a 40-pound (18 kg) weight gain over two years could pose risks like injury or reduced agility. However, given Wembanyama’s height and wingspan (2.24 meters tall with a 2.44-meter wingspan), this weight gain is likely to have a mostly positive effect.

Previously, opponents often used physicality to push Wembanyama out of the low post. But with his added weight, his ability to hold position under the basket has improved significantly. This means he can either draw more double teams or overpower defenders one-on-one, punishing teams that choose to guard him alone.

If his post skills continue to improve, he won’t just boost his shooting accuracy but also create more opportunities for free throws. Besides gaining muscle, he has fully recovered from his deep vein thrombosis injury, which will greatly aid his performance next season.

Last season, Wembanyama struggled at the start but then showed “top-five league” level for several months, though his form declined later. Even so, at his peak, his dominance was unquestionable.

In December last year, he posted impressive stats of 28.5 points, 10 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 4.4 blocks per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.7%—these numbers were not inflated but genuine proof of his dominance.

If he can maintain this level throughout the next season, the Spurs could leap from a lottery team to a top-four contender in the Western Conference.

Wembanyama’s performance next season is expected to exceed expectations: on one hand, he produced phenomenal stats before his early exit last season; on the other, seven months of offseason training have addressed his technical weaknesses.

Even slight improvements in his shooting and post play would cement his status as an elite NBA player; significant progress could elevate him to one of the league’s best and lead the Spurs in a championship run. Based on his offseason dedication, this is entirely possible.