New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson’s Double Jump Could be His Signature Move
The Science Behind the Zion Williamson’s Double Jump
Zion Williamson was a leaping legend long before he was drafted first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Zion set the all-time Duke basketball record for the vertical leap, measured at an astounding 45 inches, which seems to defy the laws of physics when you look at the size of the guy.
Not only can Zion jump out of the gym on his first leap, but tests involving his second leap showed incredible results.
One of these tests is called the “drop jump test” in which the athlete leaps on top of a box, drops off, then tries to jump back up as fast and high as he can.
Zion was tested by sports scientist Dr. Marcus Elliott, who was in awe of what he witnessed according to a report by Baxter Holmes of ESPN.
The test,
"“recorded that he had created 4,900 newtons worth of force — about twice the amount needed to crack a brick with a karate punch. It was also the highest such figure the P3 officials had ever seen.”"
Dr. Elliott, who runs P3 Applied Sports Science, went on to say,
"“Zion has the highest peak force of any athlete we’ve ever assessed — and he was still in high school.”"
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In other words, Zion Williamson’s second jump is the most powerful of any athlete the institute has ever tested and they have tested more than half the players currently in the NBA.
When you consider Zion’s strength and size, coupled with the power and speed of his second jump, it’s easy to see how it can be a weapon for the New Orleans Pelicans.