Shaved-Head Victor Wembanyama Practicing as a Monk Sends NBA Fans into a Frenzy: “Airbender Wemby”

San Antonio Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama is expected to be ready to play ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Shaved-Head Victor Wembanyama Practicing as a Monk Sends NBA Fans into a Frenzy: “Airbender Wemby”

Victor Wembanyama embraces 'monk' life in China (Image via FirstSportz)

Victor Wembanyama hoped the developments he worked on would pay dividends in his sophomore season in the NBA. He had missed out on the Defensive Player of the Year award by a whisker, and his San Antonio Spurs had endured a not-so-impressive 2023-24 season.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, there was major buzz as the Spurs brought in veteran stars Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to help the Rookie of the Year take the next step. The organization also drafted Stefon Castle to build a future core alongside the Frenchman.

They started the season with a few chemistry-related hiccups. But fans were hopeful of an improvement over their previous season. Then, head coach Gregg Popovich had a health scare and was sidelined. That seemed to break their spirit as the Spurs struggled to find a winning momentum.

A few months later, the San Antonio Spurs medical team shut down Victor Wembanyama for the season after finding a blood clot in his right shoulder. That effectively ended any chance of a late-season run to reach the playoffs after the franchise added De’Aaron Fox before the deadline.

Victor Wembanyama has been rehabbing all the way since his injury. The only time he appeared courtside was to watch his fellow national team compatriots at the Seattle Storm game. Now, the 21-year-old is in China.

A short video clip of him at the Great Wall of China surfaced a few days ago. Earlier, pictures on Spurs fan pages show the 7′ 4″ with his head shaven as he visited a Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, China. He was seen wearing clothes that monks wear, and supposedly, is embracing the serene life of a monk.

Fans in awe of Victor Wembanyama’s offseason approach

Basketball fans are usually accustomed to seeing their favorite stars go to clubs, share vacation pictures, let loose at other sporting events, etc. They, however, are not accustomed to seeing a superstar embrace a monk’s life at a Shaolin temple and live amongst them.

They have also not seen stars shave their heads to embrace the culture and the teachings in an era where most players employ their personal stylists. Victor Wembanyama’s decision to go through this process has not shocked fans.

Some believe the San Antonio Spurs star is doing everything to get into his ‘chi’. He already has habits that are not common amongst American athletes. Adding this, fans believe this unique approach will lead to a stellar 2025-26 season. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Whenever an NBA player visits China, it is usually to promote their signature shoes. Steph Curry and D’Angelo Russell are the most recent examples of such promotional tours. So far, it is not clear what the French phenom is up to in that country. If it was centered around his time at the Shaolin Temple, fans expect an MVP-esque season.

Victor Wembanyama and Spurs building up for stellar 2025-26 season

The 2024-25 season was a trying time for the San Antonio Spurs. For all their work in the offseason, Gregg Popovich’s health, along with that of Victor Wembanyama and others, was a dampener. With everything, however, comes a silver lining, and the franchise is building up towards a stellar future.

Spurs fans hope Victor Wembanyama returns healthy to dominate
Spurs fans hope Victor Wembanyama returns healthy to dominate (Image via Open Source/X)

Straight off the bat, it is unknown if veteran point guard Chris Paul will return. If he does, it will be great for the young core to keep learning from him. If not, they have the No. 2 and 14 overall picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft to bring in some point guard help.

The Spurs are primed to start climbing the Western Conference ladder. If Wembanyma and the rest return healthy, they should be looking to knock a veteran-laden team or two. The team could bring back the Spurs’ formula of winning with a team.

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