Anthony Marshon Davis Jr., known as AD, has etched his name in NBA history as one of the most dominant and versatile players. His journey to stardom is marked not only by his on-court prowess but also by his unwavering commitment to maintaining peak physical condition through rigorous training and a carefully tailored diet. As a professional basketball player, Anthony Davis likely incorporates supplements to aid his fitness and performance.
Anthony Davis's Physical Transformation
If you've seen recent pictures of Anthony Davis, it's impossible to ignore his increased stature. Not long ago, he was lanky string-bean. He’s since transformed into a monster, poised to make a potential run for MVP, all thanks to a strenuous offseason workout and diet plan.
In 2025, Anthony Davis showed up at the Dallas Mavericks’ training camp, looking noticeably heavier, and NBA fans wasted no time pointing out the irony. Davis has officially been listed at 268 pounds at Mavericks training camp in Vancouver, a 15-pound increase from the 253 pounds he carried at the same time last year. Before the Mavericks fans could even voice their concerns about their star player's bulkier frame, Davis addressed the issue, saying it's normal for him to start training camp overweight because he easily sheds pounds once the intensity of camp kicks in.
"I feel good. I kind of almost going into every season, because I put on so much weight over the summer, then by the time November comes, I'm usually 255, 258. I never want to come in at my playing weight, because then I lose weight during the season, and then I'm too small. I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly. During camp, I already lost five pounds - all the running and playing. So I'm never concerned about that. I feel great. I'm moving great. I feel good,"said Davis.
Since joining the NBA in 2012, Davis has consistently been recognized for his slender yet muscular physique. Having a lean body allows him to be more mobile, much quicker and more explosive than most big men in the league.
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For as long as it is managed correctly, the extra pounds can turn into added strength and power, which should help Davis with the physical play in the paint, especially if the Mavericks plan to use him as a center during the 2025-26 season. Whether it's being able to finish with contact or having the ability to hold one's ground on defense against a backing-up opponent, adding weight has its advantages.
General Facts About Anthony Davis
- Height: 6 ft 11 in or 210 cm
- Weight: 115 kgs or 253 lbs
- Age: 26 years (April 2019)
- Hair color: Black
- Eye color: Dark Brown
- Chest Size: 52 inches
- Waist Size: 36.5 inches
- Arms/Biceps Size: 16.5 inches
- Estimated Networth: $35 Million
Anthony Davis' Diet Plan: Fueling a Champion
Before diving into tournaments, Davis dedicates time to focus on strength and structure. Over eight weeks of working out in LA with new Pelicans strength coach, Jason Sumerlin, Davis has packed on 12 pounds while maintaining 10% body fat. “I wanted Anthony to eat more than he does, actually, because that’s the only way to gain weight. You have to get more protein, more calories. He’s never going to cut out pizza, but I finally got him to eat seafood, for the first time ever. He had salmon. He also has a chef now, so he’s become more adventurous when it comes to food and his diet.
Let's take a look at Anthony Davis' monstrous diet schedule.
A Typical Daily Diet
- Breakfast:
- 2 egg whites
- 1 egg with spinach and tomato topping
- A bowl of fresh fruit
- Toast (gluten-free)
- Mid-morning snack (if needed): Fruit and Triple Berry Acai Smoothie
- Lunch:
- Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Cucumber Yogurt Dressing
- Brown Rice Casserole
- Boiled Spinach (Sauce with Coconut Water)
- Dinner:
- Grilled chicken
- Roasted Vegetables
- Fruit smoothie
Anthony Davis' Workout Routine: Building Strength and Agility
Besides diet, working out is one of the key factors to get a great structure that Anthony Davis currently has. He spends a lot of time with his strength trainer, Sumerlin, and works out for those great gains that he has. Davis constantly posts on his social media to keep his fans updated. He is so dedicated that he even works out at night time.
Coach Sumerlin believes that all the additional conditioning and strength that Davis is gaining through this routine would let him hold his ground more efficiently against his opponents in the court. Most of his opponents are more outweighed or outmuscled than him and it gets tougher for him to defend. Davis is also working on his speed and flexibility too along with his strength training.
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Sumerlin already sees an improvement without having seen against an opponent, "He’s going to be stronger, faster, quicker and more explosive this year,” said Sumerlin. “He talks about it all the time. He feels it.” His trunk stability is a huge thing. Whenever he has been down low with the big guys, he kind of collapses (at his midsection). He’s starting to understand how to use his body more efficiently now.”
Since he arrived in the team of New Orleans at the tender age of 19, the Pelicans have constantly made an effort to muscle his frame-up without making him too bulky such that it will hinder his own performance on the court. While some of the changes are a part of his natural biological growth process, he along with his trainer has worked hard to achieve a better proposition.
Weekly Workout Breakdown
- Monday: Chest and Triceps
- Bench press: 5 sets of 10 reps
- Incline dumbbell bench press: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
- Two medicine ball pushups: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Dumbbell fly: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Crossover pushups: 3 sets of 12 reps
- EZ-Bar triceps extension: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Abs plate twists: 3 sets of 20 reps
- Cable crunch: 3 sets of 20 reps
- Tuesday: Full Body (Functional and Strength Training)
- Reverse grip pushups: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Squat: 3 sets of 4-6 reps
- Hang clean: 3 sets of 4-6 reps
- Single-leg dumbbell calf raise: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Burpee: 3 sets of 15 reps
- Mountain climber: 3 sets of 20 reps
- Wednesday: Rest
- Thursday: Back and Biceps
- Wide-grip lat pull-down: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Arnold press: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Pull-ups: 3 sets of 5 reps
- Dumbbell front raise: 3 sets of 6-8 reps
- Dumbbell rear lateral raise: 3 sets of 6-8 reps
- Alternating dumbbell curls: 3 sets of 6-8 reps
- Close-grip EZ-Bar curls: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Abs plate twist: 3 sets of 12 reps
- Weighted Swiss ball crunch: 3 sets of 20 reps
- Friday: Legs
- Squat with pushups: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Jump squat: 3 sets of 10-12 reps
- Power snatch: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Plyometric lunges: 3 sets of 6 reps for each leg
- Burpee: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Saturday and Sunday: Cardio and Rest
- Simple cardio exercises to promote cardiovascular health, efficiency, and flexibility. Not much strength training.
Additional Insights from His Trainer
Sumerlin, in an interview, said, “The main thing is we’re educating him. He’s still so young. It’s things like recovery, how to rest your body, how to sleep, how to hydrate your body - to drink water throughout the day and not just when you’re thirsty because then it’s too late. We’re trying to introduce him to new, cleaner foods, things that are high protein and can be grilled or baked (instead of fried).”
It needs more than a diet and workout plan for someone to achieve their goals, and Davis had that self-determination which led him to embrace the hardcore training which the Pelicans had to offer. Sumerlin believes, has led Davis to be where he is now, that is, on the top. “He’s got all the characteristics to be great,” Sumerlin further said. “He wants to be great and says it every day. It makes my job a lot easier. It’s all him. He’s been grinding this summer. We’re going to see it on the court. He’s focused, not just physically, but mentally.
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