When you think of a basketball player in their offseason, you might imagine intense gym sessions, endless shooting drills, and relentless rehab. But Mason Plumlee, the Phoenix Suns’ reliable reserve center, took a slight detour this past summer. Where did he spend his downtime? At a luxury wellness resort, of course. Forget the courts; he was busy doing Tai Chi underwater and balancing in aerial yoga at Canyon Ranch. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, there’s more to Plumlee’s game plan than blocking shots and setting screens.
Plumlee’s path to Canyon Ranch wasn’t just about finding new ways to stretch (although the aerial yoga sounds… ambitious). As the Secretary-Treasurer of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Plumlee’s retreat to Canyon Ranch was part of an effort to build a “Peak Performance” program for athletes and the general public. Alongside former NBA player Cedric Ceballos, Plumlee worked on crafting a four-day wellness retreat designed to pamper, recondition, and rejuvenate—think massages, meditation, and those 200 wellness activities, including some truly out-there options like underwater Tai Chi. No word yet on whether Plumlee was able to outdo his infamous rim-protecting skills while holding a warrior pose mid-dunk.
Wellness for the Win (Or at Least a Nice Break)
The NBPA’s Canyon Ranch program promises participants a holistic “athlete-inspired” wellness experience. And who better to sell the concept than Plumlee, who rehabbed his own knee injury last season with a fresh emphasis on rest and recovery. He touts the program’s nutrition guidance, physical therapy options, and—of course—a bit of fun with classes and demos that go way beyond the usual spa fare. After all, what other wellness program gives you the choice between food sensitivity tests and aerial yoga?
“Sure, you can get the standard massage and spa treatment here,” Plumlee said, before adding with the kind of nonchalance usually reserved for franchise players, “But why stop there?” He’s clearly living by his own advice. And as far as his own regimen goes, the big man is always open to new ideas to keep his game sharp without the relentless pounding of the regular season.
Adjusting to the Suns’ Big and Small Moments
With his new emphasis on wellness and readiness, Plumlee has big plans for Phoenix. The Suns (off to a solid 5-1 start) are banking on Plumlee’s versatile play and knack for adapting to new roles, especially in the often-understated job of being a backup big man. Head coach Mike Budenholzer has made it clear that the Suns need to master both “big” and “small” lineups, and Plumlee is up for the challenge. When he’s on the floor with Jusuf Nurkić in a “big” setup, he plans to bring his speed, energy, and a little extra chaos. “Sprint my minutes and play fast,” he says with a grin—sounds like he’s not leaving any slow Tai Chi moves for the court.
Facing tough opponents like the Lakers’ Anthony Davis doesn’t hurt Plumlee’s competitive edge, either. “The guy’s an All-Star,” Plumlee admits, hinting at just how difficult it is to guard a player like Davis, especially when he’s knocking down midrange shots. Plumlee’s approach is to keep the Lakers’ big man outside the paint, if possible, and make him earn every point—whether Davis likes it or not.
The Vote’s On: Taking Action Off the Court
Beyond his responsibilities on the court and in the gym, Plumlee is also rolling out the NBPA’s voting initiatives ahead of Tuesday’s election. For this election cycle, the NBPA is partnering with arenas, like Phoenix’s Footprint Center, to serve as polling sites. The move is part of an ongoing effort by athletes to use their platforms for social impact. And according to Plumlee, the accessibility of these sites could be the tipping point for some undecided voters: “Even if not everyone’s a sports fan, the name recognition helps.”
Plumlee believes athletes are uniquely positioned as role models in their communities, and it’s more important than ever to take action, not just voice opinions. And with endorsements from league icons like LeBron James, the voting initiatives gain even more momentum.
The Final Countdown
What’s next for Plumlee and the Suns? Aside from perfecting his passing game to KD, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Plumlee knows that chemistry will be key to Phoenix’s playoff run. In the rugged Western Conference, it’s not just about racking up early-season wins but about building a defense that can keep up with fast-break teams and a rebounding game that rivals the best.
Of course, Plumlee’s secret to staying fresh might just be that Canyon Ranch retreat. As the Suns keep winning, fans may start wondering if Plumlee’s summer of Tai Chi and meditation is really the MVP strategy Phoenix has been missing all along.
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