Victor Wembanyama, the most hyped NBA rookie since LeBron James and last season’s rookie of the year, is in the news these days. He is residing for ten days in a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou, China. This immersive experience allows him to explore various aspects of Chinese culture. He takes to Chan meditation, trains with Shaolin Kung Fu, and studies traditional Chinese medicine.
Wembanyama wholeheartedly adopted the temple lifestyle. He even shaved his head and wore a robe which is quite similar to those of the monks. He followed that up with an intriguing photo of himself seated on a traditional Chinese-style chair. Framed by dozens of intricately designed golden Buddha statues, this shot captures the peaceful vibe of the temple perfectly.
The story of Wembanyama’s ascendance hasn’t stopped at the temple walls. He toured the Great Wall of China and told Cosmic Log how much he enjoyed walking on the ancient structure.
“Victor Wembanyama, live from China, on the Great Wall itself, having an amazing time. It’s crazy,” – Victor Wembanyama
The young athlete’s experience in China will prove to have been an important step in his fledgling career. Wembanyama set the NBA ablaze last year, finishing first in blocked shots and 24th in game score while putting up 24.3 PPG, 11 RPG, 3.8 BPG and 3.7 APG on average. Unfortunately, his season suddenly ended in February due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Even with this strike against him, he is still very much a front-runner for this season’s defensive player of the year award.
Wembanyama is preparing for his biggest move yet—coming to the United States in the next several weeks. He’s expected to be part of the San Antonio Spurs’ front office contingent at next month’s NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. With this being such a huge step in his recovery process, this event will be his first return to competitive basketball.
Wembanyama’s trip to China reflects his dedication to his sport and to personal growth and cultural exploration. 1000%!!! He’s maturing as a player and person. Fans can’t wait to see where he goes next, on the court and off the court.
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