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Wembanyama's offseason training with Shaolin monks draws attention from Noah

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 6, 2026, 8:18 AM

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

Wembanyama's offseason training with Shaolin monks draws attention from Noah

Summary

Victor Wembanyama trained with Shaolin monks last offseason, enhancing his mental and physical strength. Joakim Noah discussed insights from a monk about the skills Wembanyama likely learned, such as patience and kindness. Despite the San Antonio Spurs' loss in the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, Wembanyama's growth was notable as he was named Defensive Player of the Year. Looking ahead, mental resilience will be key for the 22-year-old as he prepares for the next season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Wembanyama trained at a Shaolin temple in China last offseason.
•Joakim Noah learned about the mental benefits of this training.
•Wembanyama was named Defensive Player of the Year after the 2025-26 season.
•The Spurs lost to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals.
•Mental fortitude is essential for Wembanyama heading into next season.

Latest Updates

8:18 AMYahoo Sports — Joakim Noah finds out what Victor Wembanyama likely learned from Shaolin monks last offseason

What they're saying

"
Victor Wembanyama almost won the NBA championship in 2026 after a unique offseason, and NBA legend Joakim Noah recently got some insight into what the Spurs star did. The 2025-26 NBA season eventually ended in disappointment for Victor Wembanyama, with the San Antonio Spurs losing against the New York Knicks in the Finals.
— Yahoo Sports

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New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs NBA Basketball