Victor Wembanyama has taken a detour few NBA stars would ever consider. Instead of spending his offseason in the gym or on vacation, the San Antonio Spurs phenom has embarked on a deeply spiritual and physical journey at the legendary Shaolin Temple in China.
Wembanyama recently began a 10-day retreat at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Zhengzhou. He has fully immersed himself in the experience. The 7-foot-4 forward even shaved his head and was seen sharing meals with the resident monks.
Wembanyama isn’t just there for appearances. He joined a group of martial artists in intensive Kung Fu sessions to hone techniques passed down over centuries. In a recent clip, Wemby was seen dressed in full monk attire while performing synchronized kicks and stances with impressive precision.
Spurs Fam，Wemby was practicing “Kungfu”🥋@spurs #WembyDaily #Updates #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/wp9jqLXCLY
— EnmingHuang (@SpursGDP) June 16, 2025
Though it’s unclear how long he plans to stay, the retreat appears to serve a dual purpose. Wembanyama is recovering from deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder that limited him during the previous season. Instead of traditional rehab alone, he’s turning to a holistic path as a foundation for his return to the court.
Victor Wembanyama Eyes Full Return As Spurs Prepare For Next Season
Wembanyama was sidelined for the final two months of the season due to the injury in his right shoulder. Despite the setback, Wembanyama is expected to make a strong return. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Spurs are optimistic about his recovery.
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“Wemby, he’s been doing some on-court stuff. We’ve been seeing it on social media. So that should be a positive sign. And the Spurs, everything I hear—they fully expect him to be ready to go for the start of next season, for the start of training camp,” Charania said.
Wembanyama’s absence was felt deeply. He appeared in just 46 games this season, starting in all of them. During that stretch, he averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. However, even with Wemby’s contributions, San Antonio finished the season with 34 wins and failed to secure a playoff spot.
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