Former Duke Blue Devils star Zion Williamson has battled to stay in shape ever since the New Orleans Pelicans drafted him No. 1 overall in 2019, thanks in part to injuries that have kept him off the court and out of the weight room. There’s even a clause in his contract about Williamson staying in shape. But based on how he looked at the team’s media day on Monday, his conditioning shouldn’t be an issue this year.
Williamson showed up to the team’s media day looking much leaner. He also admitted that he is feeling much better physically after an offseason of conditioning.
"I feel like I'm at my best right now… Moving faster, jumping higher. I feel great."
–@Zionwilliamson pic.twitter.com/8GPlRBsxnl
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 26, 2022
“I feel like I’m at my best right now,” Williamson said of his conditioning. “Moving faster, jumping higher. I feel great.”
Williamson’s drastic body transformation led to quite a few reactions from the NBA world.
In shape Zion Williamson is a scary sight 😳💪
(Via: @TK_Nola) pic.twitter.com/6XmqySTN1a
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 26, 2022
Zion in shape 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/aDrWmnvvnz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2022
Wow lean Zion Williamson cutting to light heavyweight. MVP caliber season approaching pic.twitter.com/yzCPY4ezMC
— Troydan (@Troydan) September 26, 2022
The most notable reaction came from nutritionist Damien Bartonek, who said he is “in awe of Zion Williamson’s weight transformation.”
I am in awe of Zion Williamson’s weight transformation. I hope we get an interview or something with his nutritionist + trainer. Would love to see his diet and the caloric deficit that was required for him to shred so much body fat.
— Damien Bartonek (@tvBartonek) September 26, 2022
“I am in awe of Zion Williamson’s weight transformation. I hope we get an interview or something with his nutritionist + trainer. Would love to see his diet and the caloric deficit that was required for him to shred so much body fat,” Bartonek said on Twitter.
Williamson has clearly come a long way. Williamson has tried a lot to dispel the notion that he’s out of shape, but this should do it once and for all.
