New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson compares his career to that of Naruto: ‘For a while nobody took Naruto seriously…and he came back at 16 years old, goated’

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has a lot to prove heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.

While nearly all NBA fans agree that Williamson has the potential to be a generational superstar, the Duke University product has not yet proven that he can stay healthy and remain on the court.

In a recent interview with Tres Dean of GQ, Williamson revealed that popular anime character Naruto has been an unexpected source of inspiration recently.

“For a while nobody took Naruto seriously,” he explained. “And then he went and trained with [master shinobi] Jiraiya for three years, right? And he came back at 16 years old, goated.”

Williamson believes that he is far from only NBA player who is into anime. In fact, he estimated that 80 percent of the players in the league are into anime.

Given the common storylines of many of the most popular anime shows, it’s not a shocking claim. After all, many anime shows revolve around a young man or group of friends with supernatural abilities. Those main characters must then use those abilities to overcome foes and save the day.

Surely, a player like Williamson, who has been lauded for his abilities on the basketball court, can easily identify with such a storyline.

Right now, the two biggest foes in Williamson’s rise to dominance in the league seem to be his injury concerns as well as the question marks surrounding his commitment to fitness.

Last season, Williamson missed the entire year due to a foot injury. In three seasons in the league, Williamson has only played in 85 regular season games.

He will look to stay fit and healthy in the upcoming season and make major strides to create new chapters in what he surely hopes is his his own story of NBA greatness.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

5 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago