Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Opens Up on Struggles With Dieting

As Pelicans star Zion Williamson trains this offseason to return to the New Orleans lineup and hopefully avoid injury, he opened up about his current training regimen and changing his diet.

Williamson has faced criticism about his body since the onset of his NBA career, with critics citing it as a contributing factor to his injuries. While Williamson is adopting the LeBron James workout regimen this offseason, he was candid with his struggles with his changing diet.

“There are times when I say ‘That s--- is hard. It’s hard,’” Williamson said on the Gil’s Arena show with Gilbert Arenas. “When you’re 20 … 22, a lot of money, feels like all the money in the world man, it is hard. I’m at that point now because of certain things, putting back the wisdom around me about certain things, I don’t wanna say they’re older because they get defensive, but I’m just putting people around me with wisdom that are putting me on game with certain things, and just go from there.”

For Williamson, there is no doubt that he is an All-NBA caliber player when he is healthy. He was drafted in 2019 but has only played parts of three seasons and missed the '21 season entirely due to a broken foot. In 114 NBA games, Williamson has averaged 25.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest while shooting nearly 61% from the floor. 

New Orleans has put great faith in Williamson despite his injuries, committing to a five-year, $193 million max extension with him last summer. He is hoping that a season of good health ahead can prove that it was worth the investment.