San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama explained why he regularly walks barefoot and wears minimalist shoes, believing that strengthening his feet can help prevent physical problems commonly experienced by taller basketball players.
Wembanyama, who stands 7-foot-4, emphasized the importance of foot health for NBA big men, noting that problems in the feet can affect other parts of the body.
“Big men have always had feet problems. I also find more and more that feet are responsible for so much more that goes on.”
The Spurs center also shared an amusing interaction with a rookie who was surprised to see him attending practice without shoes.
According to Wembanyama, the young player did not realize that walking barefoot was even an option.
“It’s funny, because I was just talking to a rookie. I went to practice barefoot, and he sees me walking without shoes, and he was like, ‘I didn’t know you could just not wear shoes.’”
Wembanyama explained that going barefoot is part of his approach to maintaining foot strength and mobility.
He tries to limit his use of conventional footwear whenever possible, preferring shoes that allow his feet to move more naturally.
“I try to walk barefoot as much as I can and wear minimalistic shoes.”
The French star believes traditional shoes can restrict the natural shape and movement of the foot.
He argues that improving foot strength and posture can also benefit the knees, hips and back.
“You need to strengthen your feet. And what shoes do, they don’t respect the natural shape of the foot. If you got a good foot strength, which brings a good foot posture, everything else can develop the right way. Knee, hip, and back, everything.”
