You may have heard of NBA legends waking up at the crack of dawn to train, but have you ever heard of a 7’3” rookie doing the same? Well, that’s exactly what Victor Wembanyama, the French basketball prodigy, has been up to during his visit to East China’s Nanjing.
Spurs reporter, Dusty Garza, recently shared a rare and exciting glimpse into Wembanyama’s training routine on X. And let us tell you, it’s not your average run-of-the-mill workout. The 17-year-old has been waking up at 4:30 a.m. to train at the Shaolin Temple, known for its legendary martial arts training.
Yes, you read that right. The same Shaolin Temple that has been the birthplace of some of the greatest martial artists in history. And now, it has become the training ground for the next big thing in basketball – “Shaolin Wemby”.
Garza’s post on X revealed that Wembanyama has been blending into the dawn, jogging through the temple paths with the grace of a monk. It’s a sight to behold, a 7’3” NBA unicorn moving with such fluidity and precision.
But why would a basketball player train at a temple, you may wonder? Well, it turns out that Wembanyama’s love for martial arts goes beyond just watching Kung Fu movies. He has been incorporating Shaolin training into his basketball regimen to improve his agility, balance, and coordination.
And it’s not just for show. Garza also shared a video of Wembanyama showcasing his newfound skills on the court, and let’s just say, it’s impressive. The 17-year-old moves with a level of finesse and control that is rarely seen in players his age.
But this is not the first time Wembanyama has surprised us with his dedication to the game. At just 17, he has already made a name for himself as one of the most promising young talents in basketball. Standing at 7’3”, he has the height advantage, but what sets him apart is his impressive skill set.
Wembanyama has been making headlines since he was just 13 years old, dominating the court in youth leagues and catching the attention of top European clubs. He then made the bold decision to move to Spain at the age of 15 to join the prestigious INSEP academy, known for producing some of the best basketball players in Europe.
And now, he has his sights set on the NBA. Wembanyama is projected to be a top pick in the 2023 draft, and his training at the Shaolin Temple is a testament to his determination to make it to the big leagues.
But it’s not just about basketball for Wembanyama. His love for martial arts and his willingness to step out of his comfort zone and try new training methods show his dedication to constantly improve and push his limits.
And it seems like this approach has paid off. Wembanyama’s skills on the court have caught the attention of NBA legends like Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki, who have praised his potential and even compared him to the likes of Kristaps Porzingis and Anthony Davis.
But it’s not just his skills that have impressed the NBA world. Wembanyama’s humble and down-to-earth personality has also won him many fans. Despite all the hype surrounding him, he remains focused and grounded, with his eyes set on achieving his ultimate goal – becoming an NBA champion.
So, the next time you see a 7’3” player jogging through temple paths in the early hours of the morning, don’t rub your eyes in disbelief. It’s just “Shaolin Wemby” putting in the work to become the next big thing in basketball.
And as for us, we can’t wait to see Wembanyama’s Shaolin training pay off on the court. The future is bright for this young NBA unicorn, and we’ll be rooting for him every step of the way.

