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New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson said Thursday on a conference call with reporters that he is in good shape and ready to restart the season this month.
Based on a photo posted by the Pelicans, Williamson wasn’t lying.
On Wednesday, mandatory individual workouts started for players on the 22 teams set to restart the season at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
Williamson said that he was able to get onto the court daily during the season suspension with his stepdad. He wouldn’t divulge where he trained but it is clear he put in some work during his downtime.
Built for this 💪 pic.twitter.com/xdB0OMex35
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 2, 2020
Last month, an unnamed Pelicans staff member told ESPN that Williamson is going to shock people upon his return and his recent pictures back in the gym may be exactly what that person referenced.
In his conference call, Williamson elaborated some on his workouts.
At first, I would say it was very tough because even now you still don’t know what’s fully going on with that situation. Me and my stepdad just found different ways to stay in condition like on-court, off-court; wherever we could find it. I’m in good shape right now.
Williamson was granted permission by the NBA to remain in New Orleans during the hiatus and receive continual treatment at the team facility. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said this week that Williamson has worked extremely hard during the hiatus and is ready to return.
The picture of a masked Williamson in the weight room, taken by Pelicans content manager J.D. Carrere, quickly made the rounds on social media. While some were impressed with how he looks, others took the opportunity to fire off some “Batman” jokes.
okay let's try this tweet again…
"that's a lovely, lovely voice." https://t.co/a2XDWJkk2J
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) July 2, 2020
Zion put on the mask and became Bane. https://t.co/9VF7kVn43q
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) July 2, 2020
“No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.” pic.twitter.com/sJBWYAYrDh
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) July 2, 2020
“Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it" pic.twitter.com/OYkFvSbtlI
— Jarrel (@_JarrelHarris) July 2, 2020
Raise your hand if you lost 25 pounds and put on muscle during quarantine.
*If you're name is not Zion Williamson, please put it down* https://t.co/Vza97u6NDp
— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) July 2, 2020
For those who have been asking for pics throughout NBA suspension, here's your proof: Zion Williamson appears to be in fantastic physical shape.
And how about the #WontBowDown gear, the pose and glare coinciding with an important public service announcement?
Hell yes. #MaskUp pic.twitter.com/w6eaHpDsc0
— Oleh Kosel (@OlehKosel) July 2, 2020
Looking at this makes me want to pick up the heaviest thing I can find. pic.twitter.com/G1mlBjUmXg
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) July 2, 2020
zion williamson rolling up in disney world like #pelicans #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/Y0C7LaFq0f
— pleaseOnly🤜🏽🤛🏽joshHart😷 (@CJoshhart) July 2, 2020
This mans just been training for NFL season not the NBA restart 🤯 🦾 @Zionwilliamson https://t.co/DIlL0mWHdu
— Matt (@MattyWils11) July 2, 2020
The Pelicans are among the teams that will reportedly travel to Disney on July 8 and begin to adjust to life in quarantine. The team won’t have to wait long to begin the restart as the Pelicans are the first scheduled game set to take place on July 30 against the Utah Jazz.
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