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San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama shared insights about his visit to the Shaolin Temple in China.
“It was an incredible experience,” Wembanyama told The Athletic. “My main purpose for going was to challenge my body in ways it’s not accustomed to, which would help improve my range of motion and strength. This was probably as distinct from my usual routines as one could get.”
Wembanyama participated in a 10-day retreat at a Shaolin Monastery in Dengfeng, a site renowned as a revered spiritual location in China. Images captured the French center with a fully shaved head while residing among the monks, clad in their traditional garments.
During his stay, he focused heavily on meditation, practiced martial arts, and adhered to the monks’ plant-based diet, which strictly consisted of vegan meals.
“Every day was all about kung fu. It felt like being in a vegan temple or monastery… I had a lot of time to myself,” Wembanyama remarked.
His second NBA season came to an unexpected halt in February after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Prior to being sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, he was posting impressive averages of 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists.
While the Spurs are optimistic that Wembanyama will receive medical clearance to play at the start of the upcoming season, it remains unclear whether he will be available to represent France in the 2025 EuroBasket, particularly as the national team is likely to be without star center Rudy Gobert.
