"My goal going there was to put my body through things it isn't used to do" - Victor Wembanyama details his experience of training with the Shaolin Monks originally appeared on Basketball Network .
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama had a non-traditional off-season training program in the mountains of China.
While his peers linked up with famous basketball trainers and perfected their craft in sunny Los Angeles or the basketball mecca of New York City, Wembanyama had a different plan. He traveled to the mountains of China for two weeks to train with the Shaolin monks, who are renowned for their rigorous training regimen.
During a recent edition of the show "The Shop" held in New York City, Wemby joined LeBron James , Tom Brady and famous streamer Kai Cenat to talk about different subjects. One of the main topics of interest to everyone was Wemby's recent visit to China.
"It was a great experience, my goal going there was to put my body through things it isn't used to do, you know and allowing it to widen my range of movements and strength, and this was probably as different as possible of what I'm used to doing," Wemby told the crew.
Wembanyama's decision to go to China demonstrates a dedication that often is not seen among NBA players. His journey towards greatness no3 involves finding new ways to improve, including intensive training with experienced monks renowned for their discipline and mental fortitude while pushing his game to previously unseen limits.
Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game during his second year in the league while also being named an All-Star. However, his season ended after 46 games due to a blood clot in his right shoulder, which forced him to adopt a different training approach to gain an edge over his opponents for the upcoming season.
While already an "alien" in the basketball world, standing at 7'4 with unique skills, Victor sought out a regimen that would improve not only his physical abilities but also sharpen his mind.
The Shaolin monks training isn't for everyone; it demands discipline, dedication and mental toughness, all of which will translate to strengths for Wemby on the basketball floor.
Wemby has to keep his 245-pound frame in shape for the season, which is an aspect many criticize about his game, wondering if he can stay healthy long-term. Even though it was a challenge, considering monks are vegan, Wemby accepted it, even though he admitted to cheating a couple of times.
"Breakfast at 5 am were bowls of zucchinis and rice noodles; sometimes I had to leave the temple to go and actually eat real food," Wemby explained.
The food wasn't the only significant change he had to endure; upon arrival, he was required to shave his head as part of the temple's requirements and tradition.
"It's the first thing we did, literally," Wemby said.
From waking up at the crack of dawn to kung-fu practices, all while eating a vegan diet, Wemby got comfortable being uncomfortable in China. It was an experience that Wemby hopes will put him ahead of the competition this upcoming season and bring him success with the Spurs.
Wembanyama is awaiting the season filled with confidence, fueled by a firm belief in the potential of the Spurs, which is huge ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Their 4th pick of last year's class, Stephon Castle, won Rookie of the Year and they acquired Dylan Harper with the 2nd pick in this year's draft, not to mention the trade for De'Aaron Fox , which made them a serious threat in the Western Conference.
Fox and Wembanyama's health is a major concern, though, as they missed a lot of games last season, which hurt their chances of making the playoffs.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
