NBA Two-Time Slam Dunk Champion Zach LaVine Tries Calligraphy, Writes "Fly" Character, and

　　Reporter Du Yijun / Taoyuan Report

　　NBA two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Zach LaVine made a whirlwind visit to Taiwan, setting off basketball fever across the island! Invited to the "2026 Taoyuan Pearl Coast International Music Festival," LaVine took time out on the afternoon of the 2nd to head to Daxi Old Street in Taoyuan for a cultural crossover trip full of surprises. The global star known for his "flying man" image not only personally picked up a brush at a century-old tea house in Daxi to write the Chinese character "fly" (飛), but also tried the traditional Taiwanese divination ritual of "throwing moon blocks" at Furen Temple—and nailed it on his first toss, getting a "sacred answer" (聖筊). Talk about luck. His down-to-earth charm had fans and locals going wild.

　　LaVine and his crew first stopped at "Lan Shi," a century-old tea house in Daxi. Inside the quaint, long wooden building, the NBA superstar showed genuine curiosity about Eastern culture. A calligraphy teacher was on hand to write the phrase "鹏程万里" (a vast future ahead), essentially wishing LaVine continued soaring success in his basketball career—a perfect fit for a guy who's won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice.

　　LaVine showed off his own artistic side, too. He grabbed a brush, wrote the cursive character "fly" on both rice paper and a red lantern, then stamped them with a custom wooden seal that read "LaVine Lavine" made right in Daxi. Staring at his own work, LaVine looked genuinely pumped. Through those brushstrokes, he left a cross-border blessing in Taoyuan.

　　Beyond the traditional culture, local Daxi food also won him over. During the tea tasting, LaVine tried Oriental Beauty tea and couldn't stop praising the sweet potato crackers, mung bean cakes, and Daxi's famous dried tofu. He specifically mentioned that the crispy texture of the rice crackers and the unique aroma of the Oriental Beauty tea really impressed him. "Taoyuan's traditional culture and food have so much charm," he said.

　　The highlight of the trip? A visit to Daxi's spiritual center, Furen Temple, where LaVine tried the "throwing moon blocks" ritual. Who knew this cold-blooded killer on the court would have such a hot hand in front of the gods? First toss, and he got a sacred answer. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the atmosphere hit a fever pitch.

　　After that, LaVine got up close with the Xing'an Society's traditional deity puppets and Beiguan music performance. The sheer power of the traditional parade left even this NBA star, who's seen it all, visibly impressed. He nodded repeatedly in appreciation, and capped off the Daxi trip by taking photos with the performers and the deity puppets. A perfect ending.