A slimmer and seemingly more focused Zion Williamson showed up for the New Orleans Pelicans media day earlier this week, and he explained how The Notorious B.I.G.'s album Ready To Die helped shift his mentality.

Biggie’s "Ready To Die" helped NBA star Zion Williamson overcome adversityhttps://t.co/FoC4kxW3kg

🎥: @NBA pic.twitter.com/gLbPOLeNOm

— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) September 27, 2022

“I’ve learned to appreciate this process,” Williamson told reporters. “I can never really put it into words with all the adversity and all the cons but for me, The Notorious B.I.G album, Ready To Die, that album lyrically, how he talked about stress what he was dealing with just feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders and you feel like you standing alone, that album really helped me shift my mindset and just finding true resolve in the game ... I’m 22. I’ve been through a lot in the past year and some change. Some things you didn’t wish happened but from that album, you just learn that’s life.”

Williamson hasn't really shown what he can do on a consistent basis since tearing his meniscus during the 2019 pre-season, so it'll be interesting to see how he fairs this upcoming season. 

Back in June, the hoop star said that NBA YoungBoy was today's best rapper, so he obviously listens to rap music from different generations.