New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williams sparked excited conversation among fans by appearing in exceptional shape ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
When New Orleans selected Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft , many expected the franchise to join the league’s big dogs in perennially contending thanks to a generational superstar - but it hasn’t exactly played out like that. Williamson has been riddled with injury, and the likes of Brandon Ingram can only do so much when the centerpiece is sidelined.
But maybe this is the season when a fit Williamson stays healthy. At his free basketball camp held for children in his hometown Spartanburg, South Carolina, his physique went viral.
Williamson appeared in good shape. At the event, the 24-year-old’s stepfather reportedly claimed the forward is currently 281 lbs - which is below what he weighed at Duke - as he eyes hitting 272 lbs by the start of the NBA season.
Williamson showed flashes of his dominant potential early last season, but after the Pelicans flamed out against the Los Angeles Lakers in December’s inaugural In-Season Tournament semi-final in Las Vegas, he was criticized. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal hit out at Williamson’s weight and conditioning.
As the season unfolded, Williamson did appear to slim down. He featured in 70 games and averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5 assists a night, leading the Pelicans to 49 wins and the No. 7 seed.
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In the first Play-In Game, Williamson starred and dropped 40 points with 11 rebounds against the Lakers, but injured his hamstring with just over three minutes remaining. As a result, he was absent as the Pelicans advanced past the Sacramento Kings before being swept in the first round of the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder .
For the Pelicans and their fans, the hope has always been that Williamson will slim down and tap into his fearsome potential. He is a physical anomaly, capable of dominating defenders at will with his surreal speed and explosiveness.
Armed with a newfound weight, Williamson could showcase even more than just added agility. He could return to the defensive phenom who excelled for Duke, while his incredible highlights at the rim would be more frequent.
In an interview with TimeoutSPORTS3, Williamson insisted the motivation behind his weight loss was to “win it all.” Time will tell if he can deliver on such a vow.
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