Victor Wembanyama spent his offseason not in luxury, but in silence, sweat, and in Shaolin.
The San Antonio Spurs star made headlines last week when photos surfaced of the seven-foot-three phenom training in traditional monk robes at the famed Shaolin Temple in China.
The viral images of Wembanyama with a shaved head, solemn expression, surrounded by monks, sparked plenty of intrigue in the basketball world.
On Sunday, Wembanyama finally explained the story behind the journey during Fanatics Fest in New York.
Perhaps the ‘tallest monk’ in history, both ancient and modern.
During a private visit to China, San Antonio Spurs basketball player Victor Wembanyama had his head shaved at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, donned monastic robes, and shared a vegetarian meal, preparing for… pic.twitter.com/AFn6BYm3dG— China in Pictures (@tongbingxue) June 9, 2025
Spurs Fam，Wemby is out for his morning run! @spurs #WembyDaily #update pic.twitter.com/UMkq1AB0Bx
— EnmingHuang (@SpursGDP) June 10, 2025
“It was a great experience. My goal going there was putting my body through things that it’s not used to doing and allowing my range of movement and strength. This was probably as very different as possible from what I’m used to doing,” Wembanyama said (via The Athletic).
He also explained that his routine was unlike any other he has done before, “Kung fu. Everyday. It was like a vegan temple, monastery. … I was isolated,” Wembanyama added.
The French native admitted the diet was a challenge, revealing that to keep his weight up, now sitting at two hundred and forty-five pounds, he had to sneak out to find meat.
“I had to sneak out and get some meat dishes,” he said.
Wemby didn’t speak on the blood clot in his shoulder that prematurely ended last season, but reports suggest he’s on track to return for training camp.
He’ll rejoin a retooled Spurs squad headlined by new point guard De’Aaron Fox and likely No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper.
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