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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.
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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.
