NBA rising star Victor Wembanyama has sparked widespread attention after reports surfaced that he has shaved his head and entered a 10-day spiritual retreat at the historic Shaolin Temple in China.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Wembanyama is currently staying at the temple, though staff have declined to comment further. "It's not convenient to disclose any details," a temple representative told reporters, politely declining an interview request.
The news first broke on June 8 (local time) when San Antonio Spurs beat reporter Dusty Garza posted on social media that the 7-foot-4 French phenom had arrived at the Songshan Shaolin Temple, shaved his head, and begun a period of monastic retreat.
Photos circulating online show Wembanyama in traditional monk robes with a freshly shaven head, seemingly confirming the reports. Independent sources later revealed that the 20-year-old not only has a deep interest in Shaolin culture but has also formally taken on a master at the temple to guide his spiritual practice. "He's paused all travel plans, and his accompanying team has already left," one insider noted.
Prior to his stay at Shaolin Temple, Wembanyama visited several landmarks in Beijing, including the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall at Badaling.
Born on January 4, 2004, in Le Chesnay, France, Wembanyama was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He quickly emerged as one of the league's brightest young stars. In the 2023–24 season, he led the NBA in blocks, earned the Rookie of the Year title, and was named to both the All-Defensive First Team and the All-Rookie First Team. He also made his first All-Star appearance in the 2024–25 season and again topped the league in blocks.
However, on February 21, the Spurs announced that Wembanyama had been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Before the injury, he was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game — the latter leading the entire NBA.
Despite the setback, Spurs insider Tom Orsborn reported that the team remains optimistic about Wembanyama's long-term health. ESPN's Tim MacMahon also noted that the Spurs expect the young center to make a full recovery before the start of next season.
Wembanyama's decision to retreat to the Shaolin Temple has surprised many fans but also drawn praise for its depth of introspection. As he continues his recovery away from the spotlight, the NBA world watches closely — not only to see his return to the court but also to see how this unique journey might shape his future.
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