Zion Williamson shows body transformation after intense summer training

Zion Williamson showcased a notable body transformation at the New Orleans Pelicans' media day, the team said, after an intensive conditioning program over the summer. The forward entered his seventh season in the NBA lighter and seemingly more durable, telling reporters that the work has helped him feel better about his body entering the season. "I really felt a shift in my body," Williamson said. "I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk into a gym and I feel good."

Williamson spoke amid questions about how the Pelicans plan to maximize his availability and performance after years of fluctuations in weight and a lengthy injury absence. He noted that the organization’s leadership, including Joe Dumars, the executive vice president of basketball operations hired last April, would hold him to high standards while also placing greater responsibility on him as part of his return to peak form. "He’s going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for," Williamson said of Dumars. "I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard, and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path."

The conditioning program, led by Pelicans Director of Performance Daniel Bove, aimed to address weight fluctuations and recurring injuries through a mix of boxing workouts and drills conducted on football fields. Williamson credited the plan for the changes in his fitness, adding, "I really felt a shift in my body. It feels good to feel good." The program’s emphasis on functional conditioning and consistency reflects the organization’s desire to keep Williamson on the floor for longer stretches each season.

Pelicans coach Willie Green said the team has been encouraged by Williamson’s regular presence at team headquarters this offseason, a sign that the star forward is prioritizing his conditioning and availability. "I saw his work this summer, his attention to his body, his conditioning," Green said. "He wants to be available for his teammates."

Williamson, known since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick out of Duke in 2019, has long carried a reputation for being among the heavier players in the NBA and has missed a substantial number of games due to injury. Across the 2019-20 through 2024-25 seasons, Williamson has missed 268 games for injury or other reasons, a factor the Pelicans are seeking to reduce with better conditioning and accountability. The team’s media day at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center provided a focal point for the franchise’s message ahead of training camp and the 2025-26 season.

Williamson’s comments and the surrounding framework underscore a broader emphasis on durability and steadier production as he ventures into his seventh year in New Orleans. With Dumars in a leadership role overseeing basketball operations, the Pelicans are positioning Williamson to deliver on high expectations while maintaining a level of accountability that could shape his role with the team for the foreseeable future.

Images from media day captured Williamson’s slimmer frame and renewed focus.

The Pelicans also released additional imagery from the day, including shots of Williamson in action during workouts and drills that illustrate the conditioning program described by team officials.