Zion Williamson is opening up about some of his struggles with his weight.
The 6-foot-6, 284-pound forward, who has been criticized by Pelicans vice president of basketball ops David Griffin about his health problems, broke down his difficulty with dieting on Gilbert Arenas’ “Gil’s Arena” show.
“Is it hard to diet at your age?” Arenas asked. “Be honest.”
“Since it’s you, I’ll be real,” Williamson said. “That s–t hard, it’s hard man. Like, you’re 20, 22, got a lot of money — it feels like all the money in the world — man, it is hard.
“But I’m at that point now, where, because of certain things, I’m putting back wisdom around me… putting people around me with wisdom, put me on game to certain things and just go from there.”
Williamson, 22, played in just 29 games last season after missing the entirety of the 2021-22 season, and he’s nursed injuries to his foot, hip, hamstring and finger throughout his four seasons in the NBA.
“I wish I could immediately pinpoint the answer [to his injuries]. I think a big part is on him,” Griffin said in April, according to ESPN.
“I think there is a lot he can do better. And he would, I think, tell you that. I think we need to do a better job examining the whole situation top to bottom a little bit better.
“I think putting him in the best position to succeed is important. And I think his participation is a big part of that.”
Williamson has been at the center of numerous swirling controversies this season, from a scandal involving former porn star Moriah Mills to nonstop trade rumors.
Mills alleged that Williamson had been cheating on his partner with her, following up that allegation with a threat to leak a purported Williamson sex tape and a recent pregnancy test accusation.
Meanwhile, Williamson was also embroiled in trade rumors around the NBA Draft, when speculation grew the Pelicans could move on from their former No. 1 pick in favor of a younger player.
Williamson has averaged 25.8 points and seven rebounds on 60% shooting over his three seasons in the NBA.
New Orleans finished 42-40 last year and was eliminated in Game 1 of the play-in tournament.
The last time the Pelicans won a playoff series was 2018.
