Zion Williamson has matured after a volatile offseason where he was targeted on social media by pornstar ex-girlfriend Moriah Mills, insists Pelicans teammate CJ McCollum ahead of new NBA season

Zion Williamson is ready to put a tough offseason behind him and give the NBA a boost this coming season, according to his New Orleans Pelicans teammate CJ McCollum.

Williamson’s 2022-23 season ended Jan. 2 due to a hamstring problem, but a series of injuries had analysts like Stephen A. Smith questioning how committed the 2019 No. 1 Draft pick was to the game.

Then, in the offseason, Williamson’s private life was thrust into the spotlight when porn star Moriah Mills responded to the news that the NBA star was expecting a baby with his girlfriend with a flurry of tweets about their own relationship and even threatened to release a sex tape. the pair together.

Williamson has not commented on the Mills saga and has instead focused on ensuring he can give his best on the pitch for the new season, which starts next week, according to teammate McCollum.

‘I feel like he’s matured a lot. I feel like he understands what is expected of him and exactly what he needs to do consistently to be available,” said McCollum, in conversation with the New York Post.

Zion Williamson is ready to go for the new NBA season, says Pelicans teammate CJ McCollum

Williamson’s last NBA game was on January 2, when a hamstring injury sidelined him

Williamson had a distracted offseason due to a series of allegations from Moriah Mills

“I think he understands how good he can be if he does the little things. Playing the game is easiest for him. He’s a gamer, the lights are on, he likes to show off – and basically just show off how good he is at the sport.

‘The hardest things are the everyday things. I think he’s gotten a lot better at that, which has allowed him to be much more successful – consistently – over an entire season. Taking care of your body. Foam rolling. Stretch.

‘The little things you don’t really have to do when you’re younger. You just have to hoop. But as you get older, it’s about body maintenance.

“He sits next to me in the locker room and on the plane and I have seen a concerted effort to do all things the right way, which is good for all of us.”

The Pelicans open the season next Wednesday, October 25 at the Memphis Grizzlies before hosting the New York Knicks in their first home game of the season.