“How are you doing this?” – Ex-NBA player on Wilt Chamberlain sipping soda during game and still dominating originally appeared on Basketball Network.
When discussing what NBA players should do to preserve their health and extend their careers, the most obvious answer revolves around maintaining a strict and balanced diet, especially during the season.
That’s why many players have been seen over the years slurping on energy drinks during timeouts to stay hydrated and energized without risking harm. However, that standard did not apply to Wilt Chamberlain, who, according to long-time broadcaster Stu Lantz, was such a naturally gifted athlete that it barely mattered what he consumed.
Lantz was shocked to see Wilt’s habbits
The four-time MVP wasn’t just a towering presence on the basketball court at over seven feet tall; he was an athletic marvel with accomplishments beyond basketball. Wilt had a Hall of Fame career in volleyball and also participated professionally in track and field sports. Clearly, he paid attention to fitness, but his genetic and freakish ability made him superhuman, not his nutrition plan.
In one particular anecdote, Lantz recalled how he casually saw Chamberlain drink soda midway through a game and was absolutely stunned.
On one hand, the athletes are expected to maintain distance from all inappropriate habits, Chamberlain emerged as one of those naturally gifted talents who, regardless of what they had, went on to play the entire game without taking a second off.
“He was something special. The other thing I remember about that big fella, you know what you call a timeout and the ball boys bring you a Gatorade or something? I look down the bench and he drinking a 7-up or something,” Lantz recalled. “I was like, ‘Beg fella, how are you doing this and going out and playing?’ And he would play 48 minutes. I mean, one year he averaged 48.5 minutes per game.”
Chamberlain was simply different
Because Wilt played over 70 regular-season games in 13 of his 14 NBA seasons and appeared in more than 80 games nine times, it becomes clear his instinct was always to remain on the court.
He led the league in minutes per game nine times, a testament to his unparalleled endurance. Thus, for Wilt, playing heavy minutes was not something to brag about; it was simply his responsibility.
Had the concept of “load management” existed during the 1960s and 70s, it’s almost frightening to imagine how much longer Wilt could have played, especially when drinking an aerated drink had almost no negative impact on the 13-time All-Star.
Safe to say, such admissions only go on to show how Chamberlain was unlike any other athlete, possibly way beyond something that modern-day fans could ever imagine — his way of doing things and living life were far beyond ideal.
Moreover, one could only imagine the wrath a modern-day player would have to face had they been seen casually drinking sodas between contests, but Wilt, being Wilt, rarely cared. He knew his dedication would be evident.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.