From NBA All-Star to Shaolin monk: Victor Wembanyama goes on a China retreat

HONG KONG — On the basketball court, NBA star Victor Wembanyama plays forward-center, but in China it seems he has temporarily taken up the position of a Shaolin monk.
The towering 7-foot-3 player from France has been touring around China and appears to have taken a spiritual detour at Shaolin Temple in a picture widely shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
With a shaved head and wearing a gray robe, Wembanyama can be seen sitting in front of statues of Buddha in a picture posted Monday by the NBA's official Weibo page, which said the player had 'reportedly' begun a 10-day retreat at the temple in central Henan province.
'Deepening his spiritual journey!' the post read.
Wembanyama is in 'closed-door martial arts training,' an employee at the Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area, which includes the temple, told NBC News on Wednesday.
'No one can see him. He deliberately stays out of public view,' said the employee, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Wembanyama's team, the Texas-based San Antonio Spurs, posted a video on Instagram last week of Wembanyama exploring the Great Wall of China — while he still had his hair.
' @wemby exploring China!' the post said.
One of the user comments underneath said: 'looks like a regular sized bridge when Wemby on it.'
The 2024-25 NBA season ended early for Wembanyama, 21, due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, for which he underwent surgery in March, not long after his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. At the time, he was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
The 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Wembanyama entered the NBA as arguably the greatest basketball prospect since LeBron James in 2003.
Besides the Spurs posting his video, Wembanyama has kept his China trip rather low-key, not posting anything about it on his own social media accounts.
Retreats at Shaolin Temple have become increasingly popular in recent years with celebrities visiting China. Visits there usually combine meditation, kung fu martial arts and Zen Buddhist practices.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

3 hours ago

• Wales Online

Grandad cricketer, 86, finally calls time on his career

Grandad cricketer, 86, finally calls time on his career John Prior who helped set up Cardiff Casuals in the 1960s has been described as a 'true legend' John 'Foxy' Prior has played his final match for the Cardiff Casuals (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) A grandad who helped start a Cardiff cricket club has retired from the sport at 86 years old. John Prior, who worked as an actor and drama teacher, helped set up Cardiff Casuals XI in the 1960s and has been a lifelong servant of the club ever since. The Wenvoe-based club honoured the 86-year-old during his last match on Sunday, with dozens of players past and present gathering for the game. The club played an interclub game against two sides known as The Foxes and The Hounds. ‌ John's final over was a maiden and both teams gave the lifelong cricketer a guard of honour as he stepped across the boundary rope for the final time. ‌ John Prior was described as "a real custodian of the club's democratic and welcoming ethos" (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) The former teacher had played cricket when he was in school before he helped found the Cardiff Casuals and later adopted the nickname 'Foxy' for his canny legspin bowling. John said: "It was a lovely day - one of the best in my life. Old friends who had been with us at the start came to gather round and reminisce. "I was so proud to have been the excuse for so many old friends to get together if only for the day." Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Article continues below John's teammates praised his "fitness, character and commitment" (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) He explained that the team was founded "when a group of players, broke away from a rather authoritarian local club to form a club that would play cricket in a friendly way that would never make winning the sole objective." Club leading run scorer Will Mason-Wilkes said: "Foxy is a true Casuals legend. Most would be more than happy to be getting out of bed at 86 so for him to still be turning out on a cricket pitch is a remarkable testament to his fitness, character and commitment. ‌ John has called time on a long innings at the club (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) "A real custodian of the club's democratic and welcoming ethos, Foxy set the tone for how we play the game - not always with the most talent but always with a smile on our faces. "Well played Foxy - retired but not out!" Cardiff Casuals Cricket Club described themselves as "an amateur cricket club based in Cardiff, South Wales". They play Sunday friendlies and in a mid-week league (Willow League). Article continues below During the first innings, the Foxes batted first reaching 121/4 from their 20 overs. The Hounds scored 115/2 from their 20 overs in reply. For the second innings the Foxes scored 122/6 from 20 setting at total of 129 to win. The Hounds chased down the score with an over and a two balls to spare.

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

BREAKING NEWS LeBron James speaks out on when he will retire from the NBA

LeBron James admitted his days in the NBA are running out as the 40-year-old addressed possible retirement on Saturday. The Lakers legend appeared on stage alongside Tom Brady and Victor Wembanyama at Fanatics Fest in New York City. When asked how much longer he had in the league, James chuckled and pointed at Brady. 'He played until he was 58! 'I don't know, man... I can't play that much further.' LeBron then gestured to Wembanyama. 'The more and more time I play as long as he keeps smacking my f***ing shots into the stands, it's going to make me retire,' he said.

Daily Mail​

5 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

Can the Indiana Pacers upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in a decisive Game 7? Rick Carlisle's side are 11/4 underdogs to win the series and be crowned NBA champions

The Indiana Pacers managed to keep their NBA title hopes alive early on Friday (BST) as Rick Carlisle's side defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 of their series. As a result, they have forced a Game 7 and are on the cusp of winning the franchise's first NBA Championship in history. However, they aren't tipped to do so when looking at the betting lines, with OKC the best-backed at 4/11 to win Game 7 with no overtime on their home court and be crowned champions. Conversely, the Pacers are 11/4 outsiders with Sky Bet to cause an upset in enemy territory. In addition to the Series Winner Outright market, Sky Bet are offering a Price Boost that is valued at enhanced odds of 8/1. It requires Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams to win the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Williams particularly impressed across a three-game stretch in this year's Finals (Game 3, 4 and 5), with 'J-Dub' registering 26, 27 and 40 points respectively. Sky Bet odds in Series Outright Winner market for the NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder 4/11 Indiana Pacers 11/4 Sky Bet Price Boost for the NBA Finals: Jalen Williams to win NBA Finals MVP WAS 7/1 NOW 8/1