This article explores the journey of Scott Padgett, focusing on his dedication to fitness and how it impacted his basketball career. From his early days as a "mountainous" freshman to becoming a key player, Padgett's transformation highlights the importance of diet, exercise, and perseverance in achieving peak athletic performance.
Early Challenges and the Drive to Transform
When Nazr Mohammed first arrived at Kentucky, forward Scott Padgett observed that he "didn’t really look like much of a player." Mohammed himself admitted he "wasn’t as successful at it" when it came to conditioning in high school. Kentucky's fast-paced basketball style demanded a high level of fitness, and Mohammed knew he had to adapt to play.
Padgett's college career also factored into his fitness journey. Padgett bulked up so he could play power forward at Kentucky.
The Pitino Plan: Diet and Discipline
Coach Rick Pitino recognized Mohammed's potential and implemented a strict regimen. This included a "fruit-and-water, no-meals-past-nine diet." This commitment to dietary changes led to Mohammed dropping 45 pounds.
The Emergence of a Transformed Player
After losing weight, Mohammed started 12 games as a sophomore for the 1997 Final Four team. His increased stamina allowed him to play for longer stretches, contributing significantly to the team's performance.
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Continued Growth Under Tubby Smith
Under Tubby Smith, Mohammed flourished, becoming Kentucky’s first full-service center since Sam Bowie. Smith implemented a more structured offense to leverage Mohammed's skills. Mohammed's transformation became fully realized.
Padgett's "Do-or-Die" Moment: A Personal Transformation
Years later, Scott Padgett faced his own turning point in the NBA. After two seasons, Padgett recognized that his career was at a crossroads. "Now, it's do-or-die," he stated, acknowledging the need for significant change.
A Healthy Regimen: Diet and Workout
Padgett embarked on a dedicated fitness journey, adopting a healthy diet and rigorous workout routine. "I started it about two or three weeks after our season. Got on a different diet," Padgett explained. He focused on increasing his protein intake and eliminating unhealthy fats and fried foods. A key change was incorporating breakfast into his daily routine and eating several smaller meals throughout the day.
Padgett's daily routine involved working out "from 8-to-3 every day, with a little time to get lunch." He emphasized his focus on being in the best shape possible to showcase the skills he possessed.
Results and Recognition
Padgett shed 14 pounds, dropping from 240 to 226 pounds, the lowest weight he had carried since his freshman year in college. He felt "definitely lighter on the feet" and noticed improvements in his lateral movement. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan observed that Padgett "looks like he's in better shape."
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Adapting to a New Position
Padgett hoped that his leaner physique would allow him to play small forward, given the limited opportunities at power forward with Karl Malone on the team. He recognized the importance of this period, stating, "It's a big summer for me, and it's an even-bigger regular season. This year is going to make or break me, so, definitely, there's a whole lot on the line."
Padgett's Coaching Career
After his playing career, Padgett transitioned into coaching. In 2014, Scott Padgett became the head coach at Samford. Since taking over as head coach in 2014, Samford's Padgett has coined the phrase "FOE" as his biggest mantra of the Bulldogs' basketball program. FOE stands for Family Over Everything and has truly resonated with Samford's players. Samford fans enjoyed a much faster paced offense this season. With plenty of depth and a roster chalk-full of young talent, the Bulldogs are getting up and down the court in 2015-16 and creating easy buckets in transition. Last season, Padgett implemented his full-court, fast-paced offensive attack and Samford averaged 69.2 points per game.
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