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UCLA Basketball: Looking At Josh Smith’s Weight Issues By the Numbers

By Spencer Stueve

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Josh Smith has the ability to put up huge numbers on the basketball court.  Unfortunately, he also puts up huge numbers at the dinner table.  Smith, a 6’10” Center for the UCLA basketball team, is listed on the official UCLA website at 305 pounds.  That isn’t fooling anyone.  It’s safe to say Smith is heavier than that.  In reality, he is much heavier than that.  For the sake of argument, we’ll say Smith is actually 325 pounds (even that is being kind).  Bruin fans expected significant weight loss this offseason with Smith seemingly finally understanding the effect that his weight had on UCLA’s future in 2012-2013 and his own future in the NBA.  After reports months ago that he was doing well, recent reports have suggested otherwise.  These reports of Smith’s weight have ranged from “some improvement” to “gaining weight.”

Sure, it’s easy to tell someone to lose weight, but it’s not really that easy to do, right?  Well, in the case of big Josh, it really isn’t much to ask.  For a young man with the chance to make millions of dollars in the NBA, a little dedication and discipline is not too much to ask.  Let’s look at his numbers:

  • At 6’10” 325 pounds, in order for Smith to maintain his weight, with moderate exercise/activity daily, he would need to eat approximately 3,500 calories per day.
  • In 25 weeks, it is not unrealistic, nor impossible, nor extremely difficult for a dedicated person to lose 2 pounds per week, 50 pounds total (considering the amount of body fat Smith has).
  • In order to lose 2 pounds per week, Smith would need to cut his caloric intake to 2,500 per day.
  • Now if he upped his workout routine from moderate exercise to heavy exercise, he would be able to now eat approximately 2,900 calories per day and still lose 2 pounds per week.

To be fair to Smith and the numbers, as he loses weight, his caloric intake would have to be reduced even more, but the numbers are a general idea of where he is now.  2,500-2,900 calories daily is enough for any athlete trying to lose weight, even if exercising consistently.

Josh is now a junior.  He is expected to be a major factor on a potential championship team.  The offseason isn’t over.  The time to step up is now.  Josh, when you signed on the dotted line and faxed in your National Letter of Intent, you made a promise to UCLA that you would be the best student athlete that you can be.  It is time to live up to that promise.  You won’t regret it and UCLA won’t regret you.  We’ll worry about your non-existent post moves later.  Lay off the donuts and get in the gym!