After Wembanyama Trained at Shaolin Temple, NBA Star Dillon Brooks Visits Wudang to Learn Tai Chi; Fans Call Them “Shaolin Wemby, Wudang Dillon”

Jimu News reporter Zhan Jinying

Recently, NBA Phoenix Suns star Dillon Brooks visited Wudang Mountain in Shiyan to learn Chinese martial arts and exchange basketball skills with local practitioners. On September 8, a practitioner who met Brooks told Jimu News that Dillon was humble and polite, had no airs, and fulfilled everyone's requests for photos one by one.

Dillon Brooks, image source: personal social media

Videos posted by several netizens showed Brooks wearing a white martial arts uniform and practicing sword techniques, staff techniques, and tassel spear techniques under the guidance of an instructor. After the practice session, many practitioners performed boxing routines together with him in an organized manner. In another video, Brooks exchanged basketball skills with other practitioners, showing long-range shots, dunks and other techniques, while also creating scoring opportunities for his teammates and smiling throughout. Recalling that NBA San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama trained at Shaolin Temple last year, netizens called the two “Shaolin Wemby, Wudang Dillon.”

On September 8, the Phoenix Suns and Dillon Brooks' social media accounts also posted several high-definition photos from his Wudang visit. In the photos, Brooks appeared serious and focused while practicing martial arts.

A practitioner who participated in Brooks' activities that day told Jimu News that on the morning of September 7, Brooks arrived at Wudang Mountain and exchanged ideas with practitioners while learning Tai Chi, including Tai Chi boxing and Tai Chi sword. In the afternoon, Brooks played basketball with several practitioners. The practitioner said Brooks was approachable and down-to-earth, took photos with everyone, and was “a very nice person, humble and polite.”

Dillon Brooks, image source: personal social media

Jimu News contacted the Wudang Mountain scenic area, and customer service said it had not received related information, adding that the activity schedule may not have been publicly announced. The reporter also learned that Brooks' activities that day did not take place inside the scenic area. A staff member at a local Wudang Mountain martial arts school confirmed to the reporter that an NBA player did visit the school for an activity on the 7th.