Have a look at the religion and net worth of Victor Wembanyama
The offseason of rising NBA player Victor Wembanyama doesn’t seem to be going as planned. No extravagant getaways or exciting nightlife. Rather, the 7-foot-3 San Antonio Spurs star is seeking serenity and meaning in the historic Chinese Shaolin Temple.
What is the religion of Victor Wembanyama and has he converted to Buddhism after China trip monk look goes viral
Perhaps the 'tallest monk' in history, both ancient and modern.
During a private visit to China, San Antonio Spurs basketball player Victor Wembanyama had his head shaved at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, donned monastic robes, and shared a vegetarian meal, preparing for… pic.twitter.com/AFn6BYm3dG— China in Pictures (@tongbingxue) June 9, 2025
The internet is adoring the new makeover of Victor Wembanyama after pictures of him meditating with monks went viral. Beneath the monk robes and buzzcut, however, is a young athlete on a personal quest to develop, heal, and return to the game stronger than ever. While Victor who has a net worth of $10 million was spotted in his new monk look as he embraced the country’s culture, he hasn’t converted to Buddhism and is still a Christian by religion.
Victor Wembanyama made it plain that he wasn’t going to waste time moping after his right shoulder deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ended his sophomore NBA season in February 2025. Rather, he fully intended to welcome the break. He went to Zhengzhou, China, in early June for a 10-day spiritual retreat at the ancient Shaolin Temple, which is well-known across the world for its long history of martial arts and meditation.
“I think I did and I’m still doing the best we can do, taking care of my body and trusting the incredible work of the medical staff,” Wembanyama said in April while discussing his recovery timeline. “I’m sure it’s something I’m going to use to grow and be better.”
Someone just sent me this wild photo—looks like Victor Wembanyama at the Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, fully embracing monk life. Word is, his group already left the area on their own. The NBA is in trouble and they don't even know it yet. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JNXe0ExMK1
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) June 8, 2025
His Shaolin retreat was a component of a broader cultural immersion in China that also included practicing with fellow French draft prospect Maxime Raynaud, visiting the Great Wall, and sampling Chinese cuisine. Nonetheless, the monastery life attracted greatest interest, particularly from admirers.
Reactions of netizens
Fans on X erupted in responses to pictures of a bald, robed Wembanyama that combined humour, pop culture, and pure NBA interest.
One user pictured the tranquil atmosphere being destroyed as soon as the season began by saying, “N**ga doing all this just to have Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green disturb his peace the whole season.”
Another user saw business potential, suggesting Wemby’s Shaolin vibes could be a marketing goldmine, “There is a huge opportunity right here with @SHAQ and Wemby to build off the Shaq Fu franchise, This could be huge on the Switch 2, the stars are aligning @garyvee where you at.”