What does an NBA season feel like? Fast-paced, rapid, chaotic at times, missing a major essence of life; peace. Now in the offseason, the players can finally have that and re-energize before another 9-month marathon to the championship starts. And what can be a better place to do that than the Great Wall of China? That’s how it at least is for Zion Williamson.

Before the Pelicans aim to take flight on his 6’10” wingspan, the forward, Zion Williamson, found inner peace during his visit to China. In a promotional campaign for the Jordan Brand, Zion is accompanied by a crew of fellow NBA stars consisting of Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Paolo Banchero.

While Tatum disclosed his fear of heights during their Great Wall of China scaling, Zion Williamson laid down his emotions as they turned spiritual. In a video posted by B/R Kicks, we see the 24-year-old taking in the scenic view from atop the iconic creation. “If I lived here, this would definitely be my escape. I’ll be here every day every other day. I (would) always try to come here once a week if I lived here. You can be dealing with anything, like, if you come out here, this is peace. This is what peace looks like,” Zion said, looking at the camera.

The escapade on the 13,170-mile stretch of stairs and walls emanates the historical scent from as far as 220 BC, making it a perfect spot for soul-searching. The NBA stars came here as a part of their promotion for the Jordan Brand, which includes an appearance at Jordan World of Flight Beijing Sanlitun, participation in the Next Stop Dongdan Streetball tournament and visits to multiple youth basketball camps in Shanghai and Beijing.

Zion’s physical transformation made the scaling a tad bit easier for him, something he has been targeted for over the past few years. But he has seen it through with his grit and some motivational help from music.

Zion Williamson revealed how music pulled him through his journey of anguish and setbacks

Since his NBA Draft in 2019, Zion Williamson has never had it easy in the league. While skills were not one of his headaches, injuries and constant criticism of his close-to-300 build were. His meniscus injury in 2019 and right foot trouble in 2021 hindered his potential. To overcome the mental challenges that came with bodily setbacks, Zion chose music.

“Notorious B.I.G.’s album Ready to Die really changed my mindset on life. And like I also said at the beginning of the year, if it’s in God’s plan for me to be who I feel like I should be, then it’s in his plan. If not, got to live with it,” Williamson said in an interview in 2022. Zion’s fondness for hip-hop and R&B stems from his childhood when his mother kept him in the car while shopping. “When I was younger, my mom would go in the store, and I would be sitting in the car. She had [Jay-Z’s] The Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt. Mary J. [Blige’s] What’s the 411 and My Life. And Big’s CD was in there, too,” Zion recalled.

Many of his injuries were due to his bulky frame, and Zion acknowledged it. Working on it, the 2-time NBA All-Star looked in better shape during a free basketball camp for kids hosted by him in Spartanburg. According to Zion’s step-dad, he will be around 272 lbs by the start of the season. With the combination of a peaceful mind and a healthy body, Zion Williamson can finally put the league on notice.