Why Victor Wembanyama trained with monks and how Spurs star used experience to reach next level of NBA stardom

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Why Victor Wembanyama trained with monks and how Spurs star used experience to reach next level of NBA stardom originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Victor Wembanyama is already dancing with legends, emerging as one of basketball's most resplendent talents in recent seasons.

It's not particularly surprising that the Paris native got to this point. Blessed with a 7'4 frame, 8-foot wingspan and ballerina-like balance and flexibility, Wembanyama is quite literally the only player in NBA history capable of doing the things he does.

The Spurs star still is seeking to take his career to new heights, however. Across his nascent career, Wembanyama has trained with Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett. He also has shown a passion for running, using the practice to build up his endurance.

No tactic has proven more beneficial to Wembanyama than his decision to train with Shaolin monks, however. In the summer of 2025, the Frenchman made the unconventional decision to head to central China to build himself up.

His move has worked a treat so far. Wembanyama became the sport's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner in 2026. He projects to add more hardware to his collection in the years to come.

With that, here's what you need to know about Wembanyama's decision to train alongside Shaolin monks.

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Why did Victor Wembanyama train with monks?

Wembanyama brought his gleaming talents — and 7'4 frame — to the Henan province of China during the offseason. The goal of his travels? To train with the Shaolin monks.

Wembanyama arrived to the Shaolin Temple looking to train his body and mind to handle the rigors of the NBA season. The then-21-year-old lived as the monks did. He wore their frock. He shaved his head. He ate a strict vegetarian diet in accordance with the temple's Buddhist principles.

There were times when Wembanyama deviated from the monks' way of life. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that several times a day, Wembanyama's team would send a Sprinter van to pull into the monastery, delivering the Spurs supernova a high-protein meal from a local restaurant. Wembanyama would sneak inside the van to eat the platter. Then, he'd return to the temple, once more diving headfirst into the monks' tried and true methods to develop mental and physical fortitude.

Under Master Yan'nan's tutelage, Wembanyama waded through a mountain path in total darkness, meditated in complete silence for up to 90 minutes and learned the Shaolin Fist Form — one of two basic forms of kung fu meant "to teach efficient weight shifts, stability and striking principles."

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Wembanyama also dribbled up a dangerous mountain route to Sanhuangzhai, a monastery located in the heart of the Song Mountains. The trail featured a 2,500-foot elevation climb, its path replete with obstacles and differing terrains. The route reportedly takes the average person seven to eight hours to complete. Wembanyama, armed with his trusty basketball, reached the end of the path in four and a half.

"Talent is not enough," Master Yan'nan said. "You need to put in the work, too. Victor has both. He has hard work, and he has talent."

How long did Victor Wembanyama stay with the monks?

Wembanyama spent nearly two weeks in central China, honing his craft alongside the 34th generation of Shaolin warriors. It wasn't the easiest of experiences for the Frenchman. Wembanyama lived in humble dwellings during his trip — his room featured a bed and a dresser. To accommodate for Wembanyama's height, the monks pushed three single-sized beds together.

Still, he was unfazed, embracing the journey — warts and all.

"Basically he wanted to have a physical transformation so he can run forever and use his physical tools to get closer to the basket," said Bouna Ndiaye, Wembanyama's agent. "And then he wanted to be challenged."

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Victor Wembanyama monk haircut picture

At his height, Wembanyama could only be inconspicuous for so long. Nevertheless, he took great steps to embrace the traditions of the 34 generations of Shaolin monks that preceded him.

In fact, Wembanyama shaved his lush hair, sporting a bald cut.

What are Shaolin monks?

Founded in the late fifth century, the Shaolin Temple first came to prominence in the early 600s AD when its warriors fought on behalf of future Emperor Li Shimin during the Battle of Cypress Fort.

Immortalized in Jet Li's debut film, "Shaolin Temple", the monks who currently live in the monastery practice a form a kung-fu that derives from their forebears from more than 1,500 years ago.

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How much do Shaolin monks get paid?

Shaolin monks traditionally don't get paid. Rather, they are provided with shelter and food, sharing their dwellings with their fellow monks while abiding by Shaolin tradition. Tourists can train at the site, as Wembanyama did. But it often can cost foreigners a pretty penny.

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