Zion Williamson has made a significant commitment to revisiting his amateur highlight reel, and if he succeeds, it could spell trouble for opposing teams. The New Orleans Pelicans forward dedicated his summer to an intensive conditioning program and arrived at the team’s media day on Tuesday in remarkably fit shape—a physique that has eluded him since he entered the NBA. However, Williamson's transformation isn’t merely for appearances; he genuinely feels the difference.
“I really felt a shift in my body,” he shared with reporters on Tuesday, adding, “I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk into a gym and I feel good.” After dealing with a hamstring injury that limited him to just 30 games last season, Williamson embarked on a rigorous training regimen designed by trainer Daniel Bove. This program aimed to tackle his fluctuating weight and recurring injuries, incorporating a mix of boxing workouts and drills on football fields.
At just 25 years old, Williamson expressed his unwavering commitment to both his training program and his team. “Whatever my team needs, that’s what I’ll do,” he stated. He also emphasized the importance of his relationships with the newly appointed EVP of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, and SVP of Basketball Operations, Troy Weaver. Both have played a vital role in encouraging and holding Williamson accountable throughout this transformative process.
“Dumars is going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for,” Williamson remarked. “I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard, and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path.”
From his days as a mixtape superstar at Spartanburg Day School to becoming a five-star recruit at Duke University, Williamson was once deemed one of the most explosive prospects in basketball history. He bulldozed through opposing defenses and entered the league as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019. However, that initial promise has not yet been fully realized at the professional level.
Williamson has faced numerous challenges, including injuries and weight management issues. Throughout his first six seasons, he has played in only 214 of a possible 472 games, which is a mere 45.3 percent. He has exceeded 30 games played in just two of those seasons—missing the entire 2021-22 campaign—and has yet to make an appearance in a playoff game, despite the Pelicans qualifying for the postseason twice during his tenure.
The five-year extension Williamson signed in 2022 even included specific stipulations regarding his playing weight and body fat percentage. Nevertheless, when healthy, Williamson has demonstrated his ability to dominate on the court. His career averages of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game showcase his talent, punctuated by the occasional highlight reel dunk that made him famous.
As Williamson prepares for the upcoming season, he seems ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Now, it’s up to him to embody the superstar that the New Orleans Pelicans envisioned when they selected him in 2019. With hard work and dedication, the potential for greatness remains within his reach.
