- NBA players are normally in tip-top shape, but a few lose track of their fitness
- The players who are out of shape go through rigorous training routines to get back in shape
- These eight players have transformed their bodies the most in 2023
The NBA is filled with some of the best athletes in the world. From their high-flying dunks to the ability to run non-stop for 48 minutes, you’d expect NBA players to be in tip-top shape.
Unfortunately, for some, this wasn’t always the case. A few players have struggled or continue to struggle with their weight.
In today’s article, we’ll dive deep into this topic to explore the top eighth body transformations from NBA players over the past season or so. Which NBA players have changed their bodies the most here in 2023?
8. Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons, who lands at our eighth spot, has become the butt of everyone’s joke. He was once a top player in the league, especially on the defensive end of the ball, and his career looked to be on the rise.
Then, in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Simmons disappeared for his Philadelphia 76ers when he put up a dismal 5 points on just four shots in Game 7.
The worst part came toward the end of the game when Simmons passed up a wide-open dunk with 3:29 remaining and his 76ers trailing, 88-86.
In fact, Simmons didn’t take a single shot for the entire fourth quarter of that game. It was a true meltdown, and after the game and the series was over, Simmons never played another game for the 76ers.
Simmons would only play in 43 games over the past two seasons, which was with the Brooklyn Nets, citing a back injury and mental health issues, as well.
As we inch closer to the start of the 2023-24 season, there’s some optimism by fans that Simmons might return to form in the upcoming season.
One of the biggest reasons why some fans feel excited for Simmons is because of the apparent shape he is in. First, a photo on Twitter appeared that showed Simmons working out by holding two dumbbells.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CtQEUDFMGIK
The thing about the photo is Simmons’s arms are jacked. He’s never looked like that before, but all of a sudden, the Australian baller is looking like a prime Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Most fans commented on the photo, claiming it is photoshopped, and it likely is. Still, Simmons wanted to prove he was back in shape by posting a video of himself working on the basketball court with his shirt off.
Now, I wouldn’t say he has pipes like Schwarzenegger, but there’s no denying Simmons looks to be in top shape. The only question that remains is this: Will Simmons show up for the 2023-24 season? Or will his nerves get the best of him once again?
7. Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is seventh on our list, and he’s arguably the best player in the game today. Last season he put up staggering numbers of 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
The problem with Luka is the fact he seems to run out of gas toward the end of seasons. But with his Dallas Mavericks not even qualifying for last year’s playoffs, the Slovenian star has had ample time to get into great basketball shape.
Back in June, a photo on Luka’s Instagram Story shocked everyone who saw it. The NBA star posed next to soccer player Nikola Jovicevic.
Luka Doncic, looking slim!
Let me find out ‘Light Luka’ is about to be a thing 😂 #MFFL
(📸: Luka’s IG) pic.twitter.com/GpwwDr7Hom
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) June 9, 2023
In the photo, Luka looked extremely skinny, especially considering he’s naturally stocky. NBA fans were hyped to see the photo, including one fan saying, “The league better be scared. We never saw Luka in this kinda shape.”
Last season Luka entered training camp at 260 pounds, despite being listed at 230. In the photo, Luka does appear to be about 230, and that should have Mavericks fans excited.
Can Luka, along with Kyrie Irving, lead Dallas back to the NBA Playoffs? We’ll find out once the new season begins.
6. Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is a player that has the type of talent that could easily place his name in the G.O.A.T. debate. The reason why Zion is not on that list is because his career has been plagued with injuries.
One of the reasons why many believe Zion is constantly getting injured is because he’s often overweight. Zion is 6’6″ and is listed at 284 pounds, but at one point, he was reported to weigh 330 pounds.
This was not a good look at Zion, but he entered last season in shape, and he was playing at an MVP level until he suffered a hamstring strain on January 2, 2023. This was the last time we saw Zion in the court.
Most fans believed Zion would blow up in weight again, but a photo hit Twitter in May 2023 that shows Zion looking slim and in shape.
Zion looking slim 🔥
(Via @realkendalbanks ) pic.twitter.com/B84dRqxBIV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 4, 2023
As you can see in a photo below, he looks bulked and ready for the 2023-24 season.
Zion. Scary hours. pic.twitter.com/zZEI9gnG5q
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 18, 2023
Pelican fans are hoping this means Zion can stay on the court next season for 82 games for the first time in his career. If he can, New Orleans will have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs, at the very least.
Of course, Zion has to stay healthy, something he’s struggled to obtain. If his past weight problems are the cause for his annual injuries, then maybe, just maybe, his slim-down will be the cure to the Pelicans’ headache.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The player we have at fifth might just be the most popular on our list. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a former MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA champion, The Greek Freak, is a player who you’d think has nothing to prove.
But after his top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the First Round of the 2023 playoffs by the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, Giannis is ready to get his revenge.
Giannis has also been one of the fittest players in the league for years, but a recent photo shared on Giannis’ Twitter page shows he might be in the best shape of his life.
Giannis posted a shirtless photo of him looking to receive the ball, and he looks completely jacked.
I’m not negotiating with myself. The work will be done pic.twitter.com/O3cqvbCZ1Z
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) June 10, 2023
The caption The Greek Freak wrote on the photo says, “I’m not negotiating with myself. The work will be done.”
The rest of the NBA better be worried because a determined, in top-shape Giannis Antetokounmpo will be hard for anyone to stop in the upcoming season. By the end of the 2023-24 season, we might witness the Bucks winning their second title of the decade.
4. Chet Holmgren
At the fourth spot on our list, we are looking at Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He weighed just 195 pounds when the Thunder selected him second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
There was no doubting Holmgren’s talent, but the one knock against him was the fact he looked like a stick.
Most fans believed Holmgren would get injured the moment he stepped onto an NBA court, and they were basically right. Holmgren played in the 2022 Seattle Pro-Am last August, the same event that LeBron James showed up to play in.
During the game, while guarding LeBron, Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot. This injury cost him his entire rookie season during the 2022-23 season.
This was a terrible incident but also, in a way, a blessing in disguise. While recovering from a foot injury, this gives an athlete a chance to strengthen their upper body.
Chet Holmgren has clearly been in the gym. You can tell he has added some muscle mass.
Can’t wait for his return 🙌🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/UOz3FELge6
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 8, 2023
This was exactly what Holmgren did, he hit the weights and focused on beefing up a bit. Holmgren’s foot is fully healed, and he’s entering the 2023-24 season 13 pounds heavier, and the weight gain is muscle.
Holmgren now weighs 208 pounds, and the basketball world is ready to see if he’s going to challenge French sensation Victor Wembanyama for the upcoming Rookie of the Year award.
3. Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams lands in our third spot, and he’s not as known as the players mentioned above, most likely because he just completed his rookie season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, Williams has made some news recently, and it’s because of his Hercleon body change.
A post on Twitter this past July blew fans’ minds as it showed a side comparison of Williams in January 2023 and this past July, and you can see Williams bulked up quite a bit.
Jalen Williams been in the LAB 😳💪 pic.twitter.com/1qqGOBFkPj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 13, 2023
Fans joked that the NBA would soon be drug testing Williams, as there’s no way he gained this much muscle in that little time. As of now, we believe Williams has achieved this all naturally, and we’re excited to see how he performs in his sophomore season.
Even though added muscles don’t necessarily mean Williams’ basketball skill level will increase, it doesn’t hurt. It also shows the dedication Williams has to get better, and that’s a good thing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2. Shaquille O’Neal
For our last two spots, we’ll take it old school, starting with the most dominant player ever, Shaquille O’Neal. The 4x NBA champion has been retired from the NBA since the 2011 season.
Now, you can enjoy watching Shaq on TNT’s Inside the NBA, where his antics are often hilarious. One thing with Shaq is he constantly dealt with weight problems during his career, and this hasn’t stopped since retiring.
In 2022, Shaq said he felt as if he was old, and he reportedly weighed around 401 pounds. Shaq was then inspired by his Inside the NBA co-host and former MVP, Charles Barkley, to get back in shape.
(Starts at 31:32)
“I was looking at myself, and I had that Charles Barkley retirement body,” Shaq said on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast. “I didn’t want my stomach to be over the belt anymore. So I was just like, ‘Let me go ahead and get slim.’”
Shaq switched up his diet and stuck to a dedicated workout program. The Big Diesel, in 2023, now weighs 365 pounds.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CveqFhetCU1
Shaq now says he no longer feels like the old man he once did. This is a good thing for Shaq and all of his fans who adore him.
So, even though Shaq doesn’t play any longer, he’s a true icon of the game, and we are glad to see him getting back in shape.
1. Charles Barkley
At our number one spot is Shaq’s co-host on Inside the NBA. Yes, we are talking about the Round Mound of Rebound himself, Charles Barkley.
The reason Barkley was dubbed the Round Mound of Rebound was because of his large frame as he played in the NBA. It also has to do with Barkley’s remarkable rebounding ability, averaging 11.7 boards in his career while only standing 6’6″.
Barkley has struggled with his weight throughout his NBA career and after it. This is especially true in the past few years, but Barkley has recently shared he has lost a lot of weight.
Barkley recently was on the Pat McAfee show, and he explained that he had lost 62 pounds in just six months. This is an incredible amount to lose, but it looks like Barkley had some help.
Charles Barkley has dropped more than 60 pounds in six months — and admits he did it with the help of THIS weight-loss drug (via @toofab) https://t.co/AoBY2RUdkr
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 31, 2023
Barkley has apparently been taking a weight-loss product called Mounjaro. Barkley also claimed he only ate between 5 pm and 8 pm. His diet plan and taking Mounjaro was the key to his weight loss success.
Is this truly the reason the basketball legend lost all that weight? Or is this clever marketing by the Round Mound of Rebound?
There you have it, eight NBA players, old and new, who have had body transformations here in 2023. Who do you believe has changed the most? One of the active players?
Or has a retired legend changed their body the most?
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