An offseason photo of Zion Williamson began circulating online that showed the Pelicans star seemingly gained much weightZion Williamson (Image Credit: X/@big_business)
The New Orleans Pelicans are heading into the 2025-26 season with plenty of uncertainty, and much of it centers around Zion Williamson. The team is coming off a dreadful 21-61 record. It’s the fourth-worst in the league and the second-worst in the Western Conference. Williamson endured yet another injury-plagued season and appeared in only 30 games.

Williamson’s fitness has long been a talking point, and while those discussions had faded in recent months, they resurfaced when a viral offseason photo of Williamson began circulating online. The image showed the Pelicans star seemingly had gained much weight, and his unusual outfit quickly became the subject of conversation.

Off the court, Williamson’s name has also been in the headlines for troubling reasons. He faces serious allegations, as a woman has accused him of rape and domestic violence. The woman claimed he s3xually assaulted her twice in 2020. These legal issues have cast a shadow over his basketball career.

Fans React To Zion Williamson’s Viral Photo

Zion Williamson Zion Williamson (Image Credit: Imagn)
Fans are done with Zion Williamson. They were quick to react to Williamson’s offseason image. Comment blended skepticism about his dedication to the game with criticism of his public image.

 

“NBA need to switch it to you need to win a chip to get a max contract bet niggas stop moving like this,” one fan wrote.


“bro’s PR team needs to tell him to stay off the internet. bro never does any justice to hisself with these posts,” another fan commented.

“Bros doing everything but getting better at ball,” one remarked.

“watch him play 30 games next season,” one comment read.

“stomach puffed up like a blimp nd he with a stud,” one fan joked.

“Yea this guy will probably never reach his potential sadly,” another one lamented.

“Zion doesn’t take the NBA seriously. The Pelicans are cooked yet again this season,” one mad fan wrote.

With both on-court availability and off-court controversies clouding his career, the upcoming season might be another season that extreme scrutiny will fall on Williamson.