ESPN Analyst Doubles Down on Zion Williamson 'Food Addict' Claims

Stephen A. Smith stands by his reporting on the Pelicans star's eating habits.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is not backing down from his previous claims that New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is a 'food addict.' Smith says the information came from sources close to Williamson and the Pelicans organization, and that Williamson's weight issues were an ongoing joke among chefs in the New Orleans area. The Pelicans recently poked fun at Smith's reporting, but he insists 'nothing was made up' and that people close to Williamson encouraged him to report on the player's eating habits.

Why it matters

Williamson's weight and conditioning have been an ongoing issue since he entered the NBA, and Smith's harsh 'food addict' claims have added fuel to the fire. This back-and-forth between Smith and the Pelicans organization highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding one of the league's most promising young stars.

The details

Smith doubled down on his reporting, claiming the information came not only from sources close to the Pelicans organization, but also from Williamson's inner circle. He said people had 'called up and encouraged us to get his a** because of the things he was doing.' Smith added that Williamson's weight problem was an ongoing joke among chefs in the New Orleans area, with some even telling him about rumors of Williamson hiding food under his bed.

  • Smith made the initial 'food addict' claims about Williamson in 2026.

The players

Stephen A. Smith

A veteran ESPN analyst known for his outspoken commentary on the NBA.

Zion Williamson

The star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, who has dealt with weight and conditioning issues since entering the league.

Lonzo Ball

A former teammate of Williamson's with the Pelicans, who recently praised Williamson as the most enjoyable teammate he's had.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing was made up. The information that emanated out about Zion Williamson, yeah, it came from inside the organization. It came from people even closer than that to Zion Williamson. I'm a leave it at that.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“Anybody that cooked knew about Zion Williamson, and he knew them. And they were on a first-name basis because that brother ate a lot. You even had rumors, and literally I'm here thinking it was a joke, and somebody told me to go on air and point out how he got busted hiding food under his bed. This was the kind of stuff that was happening.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Pelicans organization has not yet responded directly to Smith's latest comments, but the ongoing tension between the team and the ESPN personality is likely to continue as Williamson's weight and conditioning remain a topic of discussion.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense scrutiny and speculation that surrounds star NBA players, especially when it comes to issues like weight and conditioning. While Smith stands by his reporting, the Pelicans have pushed back, creating an ongoing back-and-forth that reflects the challenges faced by high-profile athletes in the modern media landscape.