Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks is elevating his offseason preparation with an unconventional approach, traveling to China’s Wudang Mountains to train in kung fu. The All-Defensive selection, renowned for his relentless gym work ethic, is incorporating martial arts into his regimen to enhance concentration, rhythm, strength, and overall conditioning.
NBA Players Embracing Combat Sports Training
Brooks joins a growing list of NBA stars exploring combat sports for cross-training benefits. Five-time All-NBA center Anthony Davis has similarly integrated boxing into his workout routine, highlighting a trend among elite athletes seeking competitive edges through disciplines that emphasize footwork, timing, and mental focus.
Brooks Coming Off Career-Best Season
The 28-year-old wing missed 26 games during the 2023-24 campaign due to injury, yet delivered the most productive season of his eight-year career when available. His decision to pursue kung fu training in the birthplace of Taoist martial arts signals a commitment to durability and peak performance as he enters a pivotal year with Phoenix.
The Wudang Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hubei Province, are renowned as a historic center for internal martial arts such as Tai Chi and Baguazhang. Brooks’ immersion in this environment reflects a holistic approach to athletic development that blends ancient practice with modern sports science.
