Within a secluded gymnasium nestled on a vast 400-acre estate in Katy, Texas, approximately 30 miles west of Houston, Victor Wembanyama engaged in post-up drills against Rashard Lewis, a newly appointed assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
The 21-year-old talent was participating in one of basketball`s most exclusive and renowned big man training camps. This camp`s esteemed mentor has discretely guided numerous basketball greats, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and even Kobe Bryant, all of whom have spent time honing their skills on these revered grounds.
Other Spurs assistants, Matt Nielsen and Sean Sweeney, observed intently as the future of NBA big men absorbed wisdom from one of the sport`s legendary figures. The court, painted in the distinctive red of the Houston Rockets, featured the iconic No. 34 at its center, with the famous cursive nickname “Dream” proudly displayed above it.
Wembanyama first encountered the 62-year-old Hakeem Olajuwon in April, during the NCAA men’s college national championship game held courtside at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
“He expressed a strong desire to train with me,” Olajuwon, a Hall of Famer whose illustrious NBA career includes two championships, 12 All-Star selections, and an MVP award, shared with a sports reporter. “I initially told him he already possessed all the skills. But he insisted, saying, `No, no, no. I`ve watched your game, and I`d love to uncover the secrets behind your signature moves. That would be incredible.`”
Thus began a pivotal mentorship that would culminate a summer of profound change for Wembanyama.
A Summer of Personal & Athletic Evolution
Six months prior, Wembanyama had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, a potentially career-ending and life-threatening condition. This challenging experience, according to a close source, deeply affected the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, motivating him to embark on “a journey to push himself to be great physically and mentally with things that were outside the box.”
His transformative summer included diverse activities: playing soccer in Costa Rica and Tokyo, spending 10 days at a spiritual retreat in a Shaolin temple in Zhenzhou, China, where he trained and meditated with monks, and hosting a chess and basketball tournament at his home court in Le Chesnay, France. He also visited NASA`s Johnson Space Center, drawing inspiration from astronaut Peggy Whitson, who holds the American record for spending 675 days in space. Furthermore, he sought wisdom from another iconic big man, Kevin Garnett, to sharpen his mental approach to the game.
“The traumatic experience… is very much linked to all the stuff I`ve done in the summer,” Wembanyama reflected. “Spending so much time in hospitals, around doctors and hearing more bad news that I wish I hadn`t heard, of course, it is traumatic. But in the long run I think it`s going to be very beneficial because even though I don`t wish it on anybody, it makes you understand lessons that nothing else could have made you understand.”
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed his astonishment, stating he had never witnessed such profound perspective or intellectual curiosity from a player so young.
“He is so intentional in the variety of ways that he tries to improve as a player and person,” Johnson remarked. “It`s constantly trying to push himself out of his comfort zone and learn new things. Sometimes, the levels he goes to and the things he thinks about that may be a small nuance, but he feels like if I can add this to my world being, mindset, or whatever it may be, it can help.”
The Shaolin Temple Experience
Before capturing social media`s attention in July with a playful bicycle kick in Costa Rica and a spectacular looping free kick on a Tokyo pitch, Wembanyama journeyed to a historic Shaolin temple, originally founded in the 5th century. When Wembanyama informed the Spurs management of his intentions, they fully supported his endeavor, aligning with the club’s philosophy of fostering the comprehensive development of their franchise player.
“The creativity is something that`s been there from Day 1,” coach Johnson affirmed. “We want this team to be a reflection of Victor. He`s our best player. He`s our guy.”
For ten days, Wembanyama’s routine was rigorous: he awoke daily at 4:30 a.m., consumed vegetarian breakfast bowls of zucchini and rice noodles, and dedicated himself to Chan meditation, a school of thought emphasizing direct experience over intellectual learning. He also studied Shaolin Kung Fu and even shaved his head. His motivation was to subject his mind and body to unconventional stress, thereby enhancing his range of motion, strength, flexibility, and balance through various specialized exercises.
“It was an incredible experience,” he recounted. “Probably as far off a physical activity as I`m used to doing. It really paid off in terms of training and as a life experience as a curious person.”
Observers who have witnessed Wembanyama on the court this summer report a noticeable increase in his physical strength, improved control when facing aggressive play, and a growing comfort with his unparalleled skill set. Teammate De`Aaron Fox added, “We know the type of talent he is. I think people are learning the type of person that he is, as well. … Him just looking at life differently, being able to travel and kind of come out with a different view on not only the sport, but on life, that`s just a testament to the person that Victor is. I don`t think it surprises anybody in this building.”
Connecting with Fans and Community
By early September, as Texas temperatures finally cooled, anticipation for training camp surged among a San Antonio fan base eager for their team`s first postseason appearance in six years. Wembanyama and his teammates had attended a Paris Saint-Germain game in January, where coach Mitch Johnson first observed the fervent PSG ultras—a passionate fan group known for creating an intense atmosphere with massive banners, booming chants, and pyrotechnics. Wembanyama then shared his aspiration to replicate a similar electric environment at the Frost Bank Center.
Consequently, on a crisp September 14 morning, enthusiastic fans streamed into the Freeman Expo Hall adjacent to Frost Bank, loudly chanting “Go Spurs Go!” Most were adorned in Spurs attire, wigs, fiesta-themed clothing, and face paint; some even dressed as pirates. They had gathered for the inaugural fan supporter tryouts, with Wembanyama himself serving as the sole judge.
Wembanyama presided from a Spurs-themed chair, a tribute to the ice block throne famously used by George “Iceman” Gervin in his iconic 1978 Nike poster. Behind a curtain, just feet away, nervous fans—many meeting for the first time—rehearsed the impromptu chants they would soon passionately deliver. The dominant chant was “Wem-V-P!”, eliciting smiles from Wembanyama, who had promised to cover the season tickets for the five most memorable fans. He diligently recorded notes on each auditioner in a black Spurs notepad, listening to their stories, asking their names, assessing their dedication, and even inquiring about personal details before posing for photos as they departed. Some fans enthusiastically beat a Spurs drum positioned at the back of the room during their auditions. Wembanyama also joined in, hitting the drum and leading a chant.
San Antonio general manager Brian Wright and CEO RC Buford observed the scene from the background, near an exit. With folded arms, they watched, seemingly awestruck by Wembanyama`s genuine appreciation and engagement during dozens of interactions with a fan base that clearly cherished these brief moments as unforgettable memories.
Just four days prior, Wembanyama had led the Spurs onto the court at Tom Moore High School in Ingram, Texas, a community heavily impacted by a massive July flood that claimed at least 136 lives across the region. Emerging from the gym`s back, Wembanyama tossed black Spurs T-shirts into the crowd, clapped, and slapped hands with a young boy in the front row, amidst the shrieks of excited students. The rest of the team then joined the Frenchman for a light workout, featuring layups, three-man weave drills, a half-court shot competition, and dozens of thunderous dunks, including spectacular lobs thrown off the wall. Wembanyama notably executed a self-alley-oop, catching the ball mid-air and bringing it through his legs for a jam, drawing delighted cheers. Now, all that remains for Wembanyama is to return to competitive play.
Mastering the Craft with Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon
Back inside Olajuwon`s gym, the Rockets icon posed a fundamental question to Wembanyama about his aspirations—a query more profound than a mere cliché, especially after a summer rich with international experiences. “He essentially wanted to understand how to leverage. Let`s leverage any opportunities you have, inside, outside, with opportunities in different situations without wasting energy,” Olajuwon explained. “I know how skilled he is. So, our concept was not for `big men.` Our concept was `big guards.` You don`t want to dribble like a big man. We are big guards where you can play 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 with the freedom to create outside, inside, crossover, and pull up without wasting any energy with any player because you have the advantage every night on everybody.”
Across four intensive 2.5-hour workouts in early September, Wembanyama meticulously developed his own unique variation of the Hall of Famer`s iconic “Dream Shake,” along with other tightly executed spin moves designed to leave opponents bewildered in the upcoming season. Additionally, Wembanyama has a jump hook he is keeping under wraps.
“Yeah, that`s part of his moves,” Olajuwon confirmed. “You know how well he can shoot, right? Can you imagine integrating these moves with him perfectly finishing his shots? If someone like him can execute a jump hook, you`re entirely at his mercy. You simply can`t defend it effectively, nor can you guard his jump shot or jump hooks.”
Teammate Jeremy Sochan has already witnessed Wembanyama`s remarkable evolution. “You see how hard he works and how motivated he is,” Sochan stated. “He`s super exciting to see, and he`s ready. I think you guys are going to see a lot that`s going to shock you.”
Wembanyama, for his part, credits his truly extraordinary offseason. “I can assure you nobody has trained like I did this summer,” he declared. “I think I`ve maxed out what I could do in one summer. Now, I need to play basketball.”
