“It’s hard, man. I’m 20, 22, have all the money in the world — well, it feels like all the money in the world. It’s hard,” New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson had said in 2023 about his weight struggles. In the 2022-23 season, he played just 29 regular season games, missing the last 45 after suffering a hamstring injury. This followed a season-long absence 2021-22 due to a broken foot. These recurring issues were likely tied to his weight, which could have placed excessive strain on his body while playing.

Noting the drastic slip-ups, the Pelicans even added a clause to his $231 million contract, stating he could face penalties if his weight and body fat percentage exceeded 293 pounds.

This was a wake-up call that the player felt he needed. Determined to address these issues, the 24-year-old utilized the off-season to undergo a major transformation, which his step-father eagerly shared with the world.

The player recently hosted a free basketball camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where photos from the event revealed a noticeable physical transformation. The Pelicans star not only sported a new beard but also appeared to have slimmed down significantly! Amid speculation about his weight loss, Williamson’s step-father, Anderson Lee, revealed at the camp that the Pelicans star now weighs 281 pounds. For comparison, the player weighed over 285 pounds during the early stages of the recently concluded season. Furthermore, Zion is expected to trim down to at least 272 pounds by the time the 2024-25 NBA season.

Last month, ESPN journalist Brain Windhorst had reported that the 2x NBA All-Star had shed over 25 pounds “since December (of 2023) when the In-Season Tournament happened”. ESPN’s Andrew Lopez also confirmed the same report. “If you go back and look at him in the In-Season Tournament, and you look at him now, he looks completely different,” Lopez said. According to Athlon Sports, a picture of a ‘Skinny Zion’ generated over 1.5 million views across various social media platforms within just a few hours.

If Williamson continues to maintain his current physique, then this could mean big things for the New Orleans Pelicans. The 24-year-old was the lead scorer for the Pelicans during the 2023-24 season, averaging 22.9 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists. At the same time, he played his career high 70 games during the tournament. His performance allowed the Pelicans to enter the playoffs for the second time in six seasons. Unfortunately, right before the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Zion developed another injury and was ruled out. Going without their star player proved harmful, and the Pelicans lost the series by 0-4. A drop in weight would likely limit the player’s injuries, ensuring his availability for crucial games in the future.

And it’s something that even the player himself realizes. “Like [former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] taught me, I have to own up to my responsibilities,” Zion stated. “There are a lot of things I could have done better. I didn’t. I’m in the process of fixing those wrongs.” 

Despite the ups and downs in his career, Zion Williamson has consistently found support from his step-father. Along with serving as the NBA player’s personal coach, Lee Anderson has also been his representative in contract negotiations and crisis management consultant. As a result, he wasn’t one to stay silent when a renowned ESPN hurled insults about Williamson’s weight.

Zion Williamson’s step-dad called up Stephen A. Smith after “belly’ remarks

In December 2023, the New Orleans Pelicans faced a disappointing loss against the Los Angeles Lakers during the In-Season Tournament. Zion Williamson had managed to make 13 points in their 133-89 loss, on 6-of-8 shooting to go along with three assists and two rebounds. Given his subpar free throw shooting, Williamson faced criticism from NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith. Rather than attacking Zion’s playing skills, however, the sportscaster went straight to his weight.

“Zion Williamson … went to the free throw line – Ladies and gentlemen, I saw a belly,” said Smith. “A belly. Like, when he took a deep breath, his belly bounced. What’s up, Zion? It’s bad enough getting your ass kicked … But you look like you showed up to the game having just ate a buffet. Not something from the buffet, I said the buffet. Like you ate the damn table…He’s fat.”

By the time Stephen A. Smith’s next segment came around, he received a call from Lee Anderson himself. The sportscaster revealed details of the same by going “His stepdad called me this morning, and we had a really, really good conversation.” While Smith did not apologize, he assured the Williamson that his criticism came from a good place, and he just wants to see him improve.

After that massive weight loss, some eyes of the NBA world may be fixated on Stephen A. Smith to know his reaction. Whether it will be a statement of support or an apology to Zion and his step-father, details of the same may or may not be known in due course.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.