Victor Wembanyama goes bald for a Shaolin monk retreat in China, sending NBA fans into a frenzy with the surprising new look
Images via X and Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama's offseason doesn't look anything like you'd expect from a rising NBA superstar. No flashy vacations or wild nightlife. Instead, the 7-foot-3
San Antonio Spurs
phenom is finding peace and purpose in the ancient halls of a Shaolin Temple in China.
Photos of a bald Wemby meditating with monks have gone viral, and the internet is loving his transformation.
But beneath the buzzcut and monk robes is a young athlete on a personal mission—one that's about growth, healing, and getting back to the game stronger than ever.
Victor Wembanyama's Zen journey: From NBA star to Shaolin monk-in-training
After his sophomore NBA season was cut short in February 2025 due to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder,
Victor Wembanyama
made it clear he wasn't going to waste time dwelling.
Instead, he embraced the break with full intention. In early June, he traveled to Zhengzhou, China, to undergo a 10-day spiritual retreat at the historic Shaolin Temple, known globally for its deep-rooted martial arts traditions and meditative discipline.
'I think I did and I'm still doing the best we can do, taking care of my body and trusting the incredible work of the medical staff,' Wembanyama said in April while discussing his recovery timeline.
'I'm sure it's something I'm going to use to grow and be better.'
This wasn't just a photo op. Wemby went all in. He shaved his head, donned the robes, and lived alongside the monks, meditating, training, and fully immersing himself in their strict way of life. According to reports, he even restructured his travel itinerary just to make the experience possible.
His Shaolin retreat was part of a larger cultural dive through China, which included stops at the Great Wall, enjoying local food markets, and even training with fellow French draft hopeful Maxime Raynaud.
Still, it was the monk life that captured the most attention, especially from fans.
Monk Victor Wembanyama sparks buzz among NBA fans with bold new look and Shaolin retreat
When images of a bald, robed Wembanyama hit social media, fans on X (formerly Twitter) lit up with reactions that blended pop culture, humor, and pure NBA curiosity.
One user imagined the peaceful vibes getting crushed as soon as the season starts:
'N**ga doing all this just to have
Anthony Edwards
and
Draymond Green
disturb his peace the whole season 😭'
The sentiment echoed a broader feeling: no matter how calm Wemby is now, the NBA grind will come calling.
Another user saw business potential, suggesting Wemby's Shaolin vibes could be a marketing goldmine:
'There is a huge opportunity right here with @
SHAQ
and Wemby to build off the Shaq Fu franchise —> This could be huge on the Switch 2, the stars are aligning @garyvee where you at'
The idea? Wemby as the next-gen martial arts video game icon, possibly reviving Shaq's 90s-era Shaq Fu legacy. Wild, but honestly… not impossible.
And then came the inevitable 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' reference—because of course it had to:
'Wemby gonna block way more shots next season using his newly acquired airbender skillset 💀'
With his clean-shaven head and monk-like training, comparisons to animated monk-warriors were bound to surface. Enlightenment with elite rim protection? Trouble for the league.
Also Read:
Gregg Popovich steps down as Spurs head coach after 29 seasons to take over front office role
Victor Wembanyama isn't just preparing for another NBA season—he's entering it transformed. With his health trending upward and his mindset sharpened by Shaolin discipline, the 2023–24 Rookie of the Year is coming back to San Antonio more than just physically ready. He's mentally dialed in. Monk Wemby might be calm and centered, but that doesn't mean he won't dominate the paint. This fall, the league won't just be facing a 7'3" phenom—they'll be facing one with inner peace and kung fu focus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Sinner vs Alcaraz: The rivalry pushing tennis beyond the ‘Big 3'
One of the great joys of the Big Three era was that following the sport had a very personal touch to it – you were either in Roger Federer's corner or shouting Vamos with Rafael Nadal or taking on the world as part of Novak Djokovic's #NoleFam. There was no fence-sitting allowed. You lived every point with them and that made their triumphs feel like your own. The Big Three's incredible 66-Grand Slam run is generally considered to have begun after Federer's 2003 Wimbledon win and gone on till Djokovic's shock US Open exit in 2024 – the two decades of domination meant the players and the fandom became part of the sport's fabric. As the era draws to a close (Djokovic is still around, but fast fading), the fans were overwhelmed by a sense of loss and also a fear... would they ever be able to enjoy tennis in quite the same way again? But after watching Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner go toe-to-toe in an epic five-hour 29-minute French Open final, many of those fears might have evaporated. Once again, you are being called upon to pick a side: are you ready to get on the emotional rollercoaster with Alcaraz or do you prefer the calm nonchalance of Sinner? 'I think every rivalry is different. Back in the days, they played a little bit different tennis. Now the ball is going fast. It's very physical. It's slightly different from my point of view, but you cannot compare. I was lucky enough to play against Novak, against Rafa. In Grand Slams, Roger, I never played, unfortunately. Beating these guys, it takes a lot,' Sinner said in the press conference after the final. A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) He added: 'I have the same feeling with Carlos and some other players. It's good to see that we can produce also tennis like this, because I think it's good for the whole movement of tennis and the crowd. It was a good atmosphere today, and also to be part of it, it's very special. Of course, I'm happy to be part of this.' And what does 'this' mean? They are world No.1 (Sinner) and world No.2 (Alcaraz). They have won seven of the last eight Grand Slams. They are good across surfaces. They are young and getting better with every outing. And because of how they play, they are drawing new fans to the sport. The key, though, is the quality of their play. The consistency, the persistence, the shot quality – they are all world class. After watching the final on Sunday, American legend John McEnroe told TNT Sports, 'You took a look at them bringing their A-game right now – I'm saying Sinner and Alcaraz against Nadal on clay – you would make a serious argument with both guys that they would be favoured to beat Nadal, at his best. 'Do I think they're going to reach... 20, 24 titles, either one of them? No. Because I think that plateau is so hard it's almost impossible; there's more depth in the game, bigger hitters, and more things happen. 'But these two guys right now, it's like when you watch the NBA and you say nobody could be better than Michael Jordan. The tennis level right now is higher than I've ever seen.' Pushing that level up is the fighting spirit that Alcaraz and Sinner display. They aren't given to exaggeration as many might argue McEnroe is, but they are the real deal. 'When the situations are against you, you have to fight and keep fighting. It is a Grand Slam final. It's no time to be tired. It's no time to give up. It's time to keep fighting, trying to find your moment, your good place again, and just go for it,' said Alcaraz, who saved three championship points in the fourth set, with a chuckle in his post-match press conference. 'I think the real champions are made in situations when you deal with that pressure, with those situations, in the best way possible. That's what the real champions have done in their whole careers. I'm just trying to feel comfortable in situations with pressure and not be afraid of it.' A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) Sinner has just about swept everyone else on the ATP circuit but he needs to find a way past the 22-year-old Spaniard, who, having won their last five matches, leads the head-to-head 8-4 now. If this is to truly become their era, the Italian will need to find a way to step up even more. This rivalry could either make him or break him. 'Every match that I'm playing against him is important, honestly,' said the Spaniard, when asked about his rivalry with Sinner. 'This is the first match in a Grand Slam final. Hopefully, not the last time. As I said many times, every time that we face each other, we raise our level to the top. 'I think for the people and for the fans are important as well, our matches. If you want to win Grand Slams, you have to beat the best tennis players in the world. It feels much better when you face them in the final.' For now, the battle lines are drawn and we wait to see what miracles the new era of Alcaraz and Sinner will throw up.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'No one is perfect': LeBron James' vintage life lesson resurfaces as Lakers legend reflects on growth in old clip
LeBron James. Image via: Mark J. Terrill/ AP LeBron James has been a legend and will be forever, as he has made his name in the basketball scene and as an athlete across the globe with astonishing popularity. The reason behind his stardom is not just his kingly presence, but his evergreen basketball stats, historic records, and accolades. Over the years, James has motivated several youth to pursue the basketball dream, and his resurfaced clip on life lessons on self-growth just shows how James has reached the level of greatness he is now standing. LeBron James' old motivational clip resurfaced amid the Los Angeles Lakers legend's offseason break The Los Angeles Lakers legend is now having an offseason break, and he was recently spotted vacationing in Maui with his sons, Bronny and Bryce James. Amid his offseason break, an old clip of the future Hall of Famer from his Miami Heat days resurfaced, where he gave an ultimate life-lesson on growth avoiding repetitive mistakes. "You can't be perfect. Don't try to be perfect. It's impossible, no one is perfect," James said in the video, which he recently shared on his Instagram story. James further opened up about the importance of accountability and personal growth, offering a candid perspective on learning from failure. "If you make a mistake, you have to live with it and you have to be able to, to grow from it. You can't continue to make mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake,' James shared. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo 'And then think that you're going to be able to come back from that." He emphasized that while making mistakes is part of being human, repeatedly making the same ones without learning or growing from them can have lasting consequences. "You're only human, and humans make mistakes. But it's the ones that learn from their mistakes and come back, that separates, you know, this humans that human," the Lakers legend added. For James, the real difference lies in how a person responds to setbacks. Those who take responsibility, reflect, and rise stronger are the ones who truly set themselves apart. His message was a reminder that growth doesn't come from perfection, but from the willingness to evolve. It's hard to argue with James in this regard, as he has a solid resume in his sport with the lessons he learned from his own journey of life. Now, at 40, James is still one of the elite stars in the NBA. In the 2024-25 season, James was averaging 24.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 51.3 field goal percentage— staggering for a 40-year-old. Also Read: Former NBA player says LeBron James should consider retirement: "He ain't getting no fifth ring unless he buys one" In addition to his remarkable stats, James also has a huge net worth. Per Forbes, LeBron has a whopping $1.2 billion, which he made from his NBA earnings, several business ventures, and endorsements.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Thailand 'unexpectedly' shuts border to tourists, leaves thousands stranded
Thailand has closed two border crossings to tourists amid tensions with Cambodia following a deadly clash on May 28 in the disputed Emerald Triangle region. Both countries agreed to reposition troops to reduce conflict and plan further talks on June 14. Cambodia will file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the border dispute, which Thailand does not fully recognise. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Thailand has shut two of its border crossings to tourists as a "safety measure" amid ongoing tensions with its neighbour, Cambodia. The 'unexpected' move left thousands of people stranded, as per a report by the Bangkok decision comes after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a short military skirmish on May 28 in the Emerald Triangle, the region where the borders of the two neighbouring countries and Laos countries on Sunday reached an agreement to reposition their troops in the disputed border area. There has been sporadic violence on the Thai-Cambodian frontier since 2008, resulting in at least 28 disputes in recent days over border controls and troops, the two sides met Sunday and agreed to reposition their soldiers. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she had spoken to the Cambodian government and talks had reached a "positive conclusion"."Both parties have agreed to jointly adjust military forces at points of conflict to reduce the atmosphere of confrontation," she wrote on discussions were due on June 14, the prime minister added. Cambodia's defence ministry said the two militaries met and "decided to adjust forces of both sides, to return to appropriate positions to reduce confrontations".Influential former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen said adjusting forces through "mutual understanding" was "essential to avoid large-scale violent clashes".Thailand and Cambodia have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long (500-mile) border, which was largely drawn during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Monday the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the border ICJ ruled in 2013 that the disputed area belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction.
