The availability of New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson has been a frequent topic of conversation over the past two seasons.
Williamson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, following his outstanding one-year career at Duke.
There was a lot of enthusiasm throughout the league for Williamson’s talent, but he only appeared in 24 games during his rookie season. During the 2022-23 season, Williamson was on the court for 29 games.
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Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Tobias Harris of the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on January 2, 2023. (Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports)
The 23-year-old is set to begin his fifth NBA season later this fall, and aside from injuries, he revealed something else that has negatively affected his basketball career: proper diet.
During a recent appearance on «Gil’s Arena,» the podcast hosted by three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas, Williamson opened up about his diet struggles.
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«It’s tough, man. I’m 20, 22, I have all the money in the world, well, it feels like all the money in the world. It’s tough,» Williamson said when asked about eating healthy and staying on top. physical form.
«I’m at that point now, because of certain things, I’m putting wisdom back around me. I don’t want to say older because they get defensive, but I’m putting people around me with wisdom. Put certain things in the game And just go from there.»
The 6-foot-6, 284-pound Pelicans forward has been limited to 114 regular-season appearances in his four years in the league. A foot injury sidelined Williamson for the entire 2021-22 season.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson warms up before the 76ers game in Philadelphia on January 2, 2023. (Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports)
Williamson also noted that he is making lifestyle changes and has taken responsibility for his past decisions.
«As [former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] It taught me, I have to take responsibility,» Williamson said. «There are a lot of things I could have done better. I didn’t. I’m in the process of correcting those errors.»
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against the 76ers on January 2, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Williamson has a few months to get his body into the best shape it can be before the 2023-24 season kicks off in mid-October.
Despite his limited time on the court, Williamson has been named to two All-Star teams, including the 2023 team. He has career averages of 25.8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
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The Pelicans star also made it clear that he doesn’t like to be left on the sidelines during games.
«I’m a hooper. When I’m sitting on the sidelines watching my teammates in certain games that they’re losing, I know if I was there, I could change the outcome,» Williamson said.
«What I want people to know about me is that I just want to play. I want to be out there. Nobody wants to just sit on the sidelines. I think that’s what I want people to understand. I don’t want to be on the sidelines. Do you think that Do I want to sit there hurt? I don’t want to.»