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Victor Wembanyama is currently in China, and his trip isn’t solely for leisure.
The San Antonio Spurs’ standout is embarking on what is expected to be a ten-day retreat at a Shaolin temple located in Zhengzhou, China. This temple attracts visitors interested in learning about Chan meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu, traditional Chinese medicine, and more.
The NBA China office has confirmed Wembanyama’s presence at the temple, and additional verification has come from Chinese media sources and the temple itself. A social media update on the NBA’s Weibo account mentioned, “Focus on your training!” while also disclosing the planned duration of his stay.
Nonetheless, details about his visit began to emerge through other social media platforms.
Photos are circulating that show Wembanyama with a shaved head—a change from his look upon arriving in China—dressed in a robe akin to those worn by the monks. One image features the 7-foot-4 center seated on a traditional Chinese chair surrounded by several Buddha statues.
It seems he also engaged in some tourism earlier in his journey.
“Victor Wembanyama, reporting live from China, enjoying an incredible time at the Great Wall. It’s unbelievable,” he stated in a video shared on Instagram by the Spurs’ official account and others.
Wembanyama is anticipated to return to the U.S. in the coming weeks and is likely to join the Spurs’ team during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next month. The Spurs, like many other franchises, commonly include a number of players from their roster for various summer league activities.
The 21-year-old Frenchman led the NBA in blocked shots during the regular season, although his season concluded in February—shortly after he made his All-Star Game debut—due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The Spurs are optimistic that he will be ready for the upcoming season, and the French national team is also hopeful for his participation in this summer’s European Championships.
Last season, Wembanyama was honored as the league’s Rookie of the Year and was anticipated to be a key contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award this season. He attempted 403 three-pointers and blocked 176 shots, a statistical feat unmatched in NBA history, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists when the DVT diagnosis was made.
The only other player in NBA history to conclude a season with such averages was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76.
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press Writer Fu Ting in Washington.
