In a universe like the NBA, where physical strength and endurance are as valuable tools as talent, every detail counts. Especially when it comes to the body. Just ask Cody Williams, one of the highest stakes in the 2024 Draft and at the same time one of the biggest question marks of the new generation of talent.
Williams, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward, was selected 10th overall by the Utah Jazz. But his first year in the league was anything but brilliant. He averaged 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in his rookie campaign, along with several games in which he looked disoriented on the court, calling into question his readiness for the elite level.
The main problem is physical. His body, thin and still developing, is not ready for the daily rigors of brutal competition. That’s why this summer Cody has embarked on a mission that for many would be enviable, but for him has become a punishment: to gain weight by eating all the time.
Eating out of obligation, an exhausting ‘job’
As soon as the season was over, Cody started a high-calorie diet designed to add muscle mass and endurance to his body. The goal was to achieve an NBA-competitive physique. The method to follow was to consume about 4,800 calories a day.
But this is not a dream feast of burgers and ice cream. It is a strict, constant, almost robotic routine. “It’s got to the point where I hate eating. I just eat so much that I don’t even taste anything anymore. I just put food in my body to add calories. I don’t even think about what I like and what I don’t like anymore,” the young forward confessed.
The player’s diet is varied but plentiful: “Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, steaks… whatever, as long as it adds up to calories. Food has stopped being a pleasure and has become an obligation. I like steaks, but I eat whatever.”
Progress as motivation
Although the process is tough, it seems to be paying off. Scott Morrison, his coach in the Las Vegas Summer League, is optimistic: “I think these weeks, since the end of the season, have been a lot of work. In the gym and on the court. Just to see in practice the physical level, the defensive pressure. I think by being stronger there is also a greater confidence.” That confidence is vital for a player who needs to regain not only weight, but also self-esteem. Beyond the numbers, what was seen from Cody in his rookie year was a player who was often overwhelmed by the pace, by the physical contact, by the aggressiveness of opponents.
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