Victor Wembanyama buzzes his hair and takes a break at a Shaolin Temple in China

Victor Wembanyama Embraces Inner Monk During Retreat

Victor Wembanyama is diving deep into his inner self. This offseason, the 7-foot-4 center for the Spurs is spending ten days at the historic Shorin Temple in China, a site with roots that go back 1500 years.

Recently, a photo of Wembanyama, 21, with a freshly shaved head started circulating on social media, confirming his unique journey as part of an NBA retreat in a Buddhist temple.

A Spurs reporter, Dusty Garza, described Wembanyama’s experience as a path toward “inner discipline, focus, and harmony between the mind and body.”

Wembanyama is gearing up for his third season in the NBA, following a challenging period where he was sidelined due to a blood clot in his right shoulder last February. Prior to that, he was having a standout sophomore year, averaging 24.3 points and 11 rebounds each game, earning an All-Star selection.

Beyond his impressive on-court skills, fans have also connected with Wembanyama for his eccentric, and sometimes geeky, personality. He is an avid reader, particularly of science fiction, and a chess lover who has even played matches with fans in Washington Square Park after a game against the Knicks.

This venture into monkhood is certainly one of Wembanyama’s most intriguing off-court activities.

Reactions on social media have been mixed. One user expressed, “This is the separation here. MVP OTW.” While another cheekily suggested, “We need to start calling him Zenbanyama.”

However, not everyone is on board with the retreat. Some users took the opportunity to jab at Aaron Rodgers, who famously underwent a four-day darkness retreat in 2023, with comments like, “When Aaron Rodgers did this, I hate everything.” Another user echoed the sentiment with, “Is he Aaron Rodgers?”

The Spurs haven’t made the playoffs since drafting Wembanyama, but signs are pointing toward a shift after acquiring star point guard De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline. If San Antonio makes it to the postseason, Wembanyama’s newfound spiritual journey just might come in handy.