Zion Williamson arrives at Pelicans media day in peak shape after summer conditioning
The forward says he can feel a difference after a rigorous training regimen aimed at stabilizing his weight and boosting durability, as New Orleans emphasizes accountability and preparation for the season.
Zion Williamson arrived at New Orleans Pelicans media day in noticeably improved shape after a summer dedicated to conditioning, a development he described as a potential turning point for his career. Speaking on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Williamson said he felt a shift in his body and that he hasn’t felt like this since his college days. "I really felt a shift in my body," Williamson told reporters. "I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk into a gym and I feel good." The forward is coming off a season hampered by a hamstring injury that limited him to 30 games, a hurdle he said motivated the summer regimen aimed at stabilizing weight and reducing fluctuations that had contributed to durability concerns.
Williamson has spent the off-season in a focused conditioning program run by trainer Daniel Bove. The regimen included boxing workouts and drills conducted on football fields, all designed to address weight fluctuations and recurring issues that have limited his playing time. Williamson said the program is about more than a quick fix, stressing his willingness to do whatever the team needs. "Whatever my team needs, that’s what I’ll do." He also highlighted the ongoing guidance and accountability from New Orleans' front office leadership, particularly EVP of basketball operations Joe Dumars and SVP Troy Weaver, who have encouraged him while emphasizing accountability.
Williamson’s backstory is well known: a mixtape standout at Spartanburg Day School who became a five-star recruit at Duke and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. But his professional arc has been uneven, shaped by injuries and weight management challenges. In six NBA seasons, he has appeared in 214 of a possible 472 games (45.3 percent) and has yet to play in a postseason game, despite the Pelicans reaching the playoffs twice during his tenure. His five-year extension signed in 2022 included a contract stipulation tied to playing weight and body fat percentage, underscoring the franchise’s emphasis on durability and long-term conditioning.
Nevertheless, Williamson’s per-game production remains of elite caliber when he’s on the floor. He owns career averages near 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, and a reputation for game-changing bursts and highlight plays when he is healthy. The Pelicans’ personnel leadership has consistently vouched for his potential, while also signaling that returning to peak form would be essential to maximizing a roster that has shown playoff competitiveness in recent seasons.
The 2024-25 season served as a reminder of both Williamson’s upside and the costs of inconsistency. The team has leaned into a pathway that couples high-performance expectations with structured accountability, aiming to keep him on the court and near his best. The plan appears to be aligning with what Williamson described as his strongest impulse: to respond to what his franchise needs with sustained, hard work and a willingness to accept responsibility.
As training camp progresses, the Pelicans hope Williamson’s renewed conditioning translates into improved durability and productivity. If he can maintain his energy, foot speed, and strength across a full schedule, the results could present a difficult matchup for opponents and a significant boost for New Orleans’ title aspirations. Williamson himself framed the work as a long-term commitment rather than a one-off push, saying the path back to elite form is ongoing and that he intends to stay the course throughout the season. "If I slip up or anything, I know [Dumars] is going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path," he said, signaling a shift from past years toward a more accountable, team-oriented approach.
The Pelicans’ season outlook hinges on how consistently Williamson stays on the court and how fully he embraces the hard, repetitive work required to maximize his physical gifts. The organization has signaled that its roster-building will continue to hinge on health, development, and accountability, with Williamson viewed as a central figure in that framework. If the transformation is sustained, opponents may have to prepare for a Zion Williamson who resembles the college-era player who once looked unstoppable, rather than the injuries-and-weight-limited version that defined parts of his first six NBA seasons. The road ahead remains challenging, but the early signs from media day suggest a renewed commitment to reach the potential New Orleans envisioned when they drafted him first overall in 2019.