Being a young athlete, 22-year-old Zion Williamson needs to keep his diet and health in check to survive and even make a name for himself in the already competitive NBA space. However, Zion appears to be having difficulties keeping a healthy diet.
The NBA star made a surprise appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, hosted by Gilbert Arenas, and when asked about his diet, Zion was candid and admitted that, as a 22-year-old with money to get anything in the world, it is difficult to keep a strict diet, according to him, he is struggling to stick to dieting. Zion further added that despite the struggles, he has approached senior NBA stars who are helping him make progress.
Details via ESPN;
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson knows his battle to stay on the court is going to take discipline, but he admitted Monday night that it’s been a struggle so far in his young NBA career.
In a surprise appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, hosted by Gilbert Arenas, Williamson spoke about dealing with issues that have limited him to just 114 regular-season games in four years. He was asked about eating healthy to stay in game shape.
“It’s hard, man,” Williamson said. “I’m 20, 22, have all the money in the world — well, it feels like all the money in the world. It’s hard.
“I’m at that point now, because of certain things, I’m putting back the wisdom around me. I don’t want to say older because they get defensive, but I’m putting people around me with wisdom. Put me on game to certain things. And just go from there.”
Williamson is listed as 6-foot-6, 284 pounds.
He said some of his issues go back to having this “invincibility trait” that you feel like nothing can stop you when you’re young. He said he had to think about the people around him and listen to those who genuinely want to help him.
“Like [former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] taught me, I have to own up to my responsibilities,” Williamson said. “There are a lot of things I could have done better. I didn’t. I’m in the process of fixing those wrongs.”
Williamson said that, in terms of getting ready for this season, he’s been trying to follow the blueprint of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
“It’s more of locking in on flexibility, band work. I think it’s those things that will be able to keep me on the court longer rather than losing a bunch of weight and coming to play,” Williamson said, crediting James for the inspiration.
In his brief appearance, Williamson also wanted to get one point across — he isn’t missing games because he wants to.
“I’m a hooper,” Williamson said. “When I’m sitting on the sidelines watching my teammates in certain games they’re losing, I know if I was out there, I could change the outcome.
“What I want people to know about me is I just want to hoop. I want to be out there. Nobody wants to just sit on the sideline. I think that’s what I want people to understand. I don’t want to be on the sideline. Y’all think I want to sit over there hurt? I don’t.”
Sadly, Zion didn’t ask him to address the Moriah Mills’ situation.
Zion kept it real about the food. pic.twitter.com/KO5HXAQ4oN
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) July 11, 2023
