Chris Bosh has revealed he nearly lost his life earlier this year after suffering another pulmonary embolism, using the frightening experience to deliver an emotional warning to San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.
The Basketball Hall of Famer, whose own NBA career was cut short by recurring blood clots, urged Wembanyama to remain vigilant after the Spurs star returned from the deep vein thrombosis that prematurely ended his 2024-25 season.
“I Almost Dropped Dead”
Speaking to HoopsHype, Bosh disclosed that he suffered another pulmonary embolism in January and spent a week in hospital after the life-threatening episode.
“I had an episode in January. I almost dropped dead pretty much and came back to life. I’m not joking.”
“Yeah. I had another pulmonary embolism. It was in January. Yeah, yeah, this past year. I was in the hospital for a week.”
“Take your medicine. So, I’m taking my medicine every day, taking care of myself every day, and watching it. So, I mean, no symptoms came either.”
Bosh’s revelation shocked the basketball world, particularly given his long and well-documented battle with blood clots that ultimately forced him into retirement at just 31 years of age.
Direct Advice for Victor Wembanyama
Bosh said Wembanyama’s recent diagnosis immediately reminded him of his own experience and stressed that managing the condition must become a lifelong priority.
“Take your medicine.”
“Make sure that he’s staying on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn’t happen again because it only takes one more time.”
“It happened one more time for me, it happened twice, and I couldn’t play anymore.”
Wembanyama was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after doctors discovered deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. He returned for the 2025-26 campaign, earned All-NBA honours, won Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead the Spurs to the NBA Finals.
A Lifelong Battle
Bosh admitted he once believed his health issues were behind him but has now accepted they will require constant management.
“Yeah, you got to deal with it for the rest of your life.”
“I thought I was past it. I am not. So, you know, it’s just making sure I stay on top of my regimen.”
The former Miami Heat star first suffered a pulmonary embolism during the 2014-15 season before another blood-clot episode in 2016 effectively ended his playing career. Although he attempted multiple comebacks, doctors ultimately ruled it was too dangerous for him to continue playing professionally.
A Powerful Reminder
Bosh’s comments serve as a sobering reminder that blood clots are not just career-threatening—they can also be life-threatening.
For Wembanyama, who has already returned to elite basketball after his own diagnosis, Bosh hopes his story reinforces the importance of never becoming complacent.
Having experienced the consequences firsthand, the 11-time All-Star knows better than most that staying healthy means much more than getting back on the court—it means protecting his life.
