Prior to the beginning of his first season, Meeks entered UNC weighing nearly 320 pounds. Fast forward two years, and he has shed approximately 60 pounds — the average size of a 9-year-old boy.
In Friday’s exhibition game versus Guilford College, the 260-pound junior registered 14 points and five blocks. The growth in his speed and agility was clear to other players on the floor, like junior guard Nate Britt.
“He’s lost a lot of weight — he looks more athletic and more fit,” Britt said. “Everyone can see that he is running the floor better. He’s also more mobile on defense, and that will help us out a lot.”
Off the court, the key for Meeks is making better nutritional decisions. He shies away from the fried chicken and hamburgers, instead opting for the salads and grilled chicken.
On the court, a new practice drill called the 15-second shot clock has helped with Meeks’ weight loss. In the drill, players must score in less than 15 seconds. The drill lasts about 15 minutes.
“It’s a great conditioning tactic,” Meeks said. “But it also gets us up and down the floor a lot more as far as getting those easy buckets and getting stops on the defensive end.”
Coach Roy Williams said the challenge for Meeks isn’t nearly as hard as what he’s already done. Now that he isn’t carrying as much weight, Williams expects him to jump higher and use his athleticism.
“I’d get on him all the time about his double pump and laying it up against somebody’s armpit,” Williams said. “And he can explode up now.”
