How did basketball player Victor Wembanyama gain 22 lbs in 1 year while standing 7 ft 3 in tall?
Being a top-level athlete demands exemplary rigor when it comes to diet. And when you're over 7 ft 3 in tall, that discipline has to be doubled. Victor Wembanyama is a true phenomenon, as much for his talent as for his unique way of playing basketball. Drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, he entered the American league weighing in at 209 lbs. Today, after just one season, he weighs in at 233 lbs. This spectacular transformation is no accident; the NBA is known for turning promising physiques into veritable war machines. But how can a colossus of this size gain 22 lbs so quickly? Find out more about his diet ;)
How do you feed such an athlete?
Victor Wembanyama follows a carefully designed nutritional program to meet the specific needs associated with his exceptional physique. To support his high metabolism, he favors a diet spread over five balanced meals a day, each designed to provide him with essential nutrients.
His meal plan emphasizes quality proteins, complex carbohydrates and beneficial fats. These strategic nutritional choices enable him to maintain high energy levels for his intensive training sessions. Thanks to this targeted and adapted approach, Victor optimizes his sporting performance, physical recovery and muscle mass development.
Maintaining a stable weight: the biggest challenge?
Maintaining a stable weight is a real challenge for very tall players. Pierre-Yves Couve, Wembanyama's physiotherapist with the French U16 team, explains: "When you look at the photos, it looks normal. He doesn't have an excessive build, and that's a good thing. Growth follows its natural course: first you grow taller, and then you generally get bigger between the ages of 20 and 30. So, his 233 lbs for 7 ft 3 in are far from alarming, especially compared to other players."
While the weight gain may seem significant, it needs to be seen in the context of his size. Manuel Lacroix, Wembanyama's former physical trainer at ASVEL, points out that, for very tall players, weight variations of 4 to 8 lbs per week are frequent and normal. He recalls the difficulties encountered in stabilizing his weight: "We were up to 224-227 lbs at one point, but then it came down again. These oscillations are common for people of this stature."
An escape from injury
Faced with the specific challenges associated with his large stature , Victor Wembanyama places a premium on injury prevention in his training program. He incorporates exercises tailored to address the common problems encountered by tall athletes, particularly in the back and knees.
This preventive strategy also includes in-depth work on footwork, aimed at strengthening his balance and minimizing the risk of ankle injuries, a particularly vulnerable area for basketball players of his morphology.
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