Some may be looking for the best NBA player without six-pack abs. While some may look at the 6-pack as a sign of masculinity, many view six-pack abs as an indicator of health and fitness. It should be noted that while having six pack abs is not a requirement for being highly successful in the NBA, it is important to have a good amount of muscle tone to play the game. Here are the 7 best NBA players without six pack abs. They display great muscle tone but don’t fit the bill for having a 6-pack body.
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Contents
The Definition Of 6 Pack Abs: The 7 Best NBA Player Without Six Pack Abs

The definition of six pack abs depends on the individual, but many would agree that a 6-pack abs are a set of abdominal v-shaped muscles. Six pack abs are not a requirement to be successful in the NBA.
The 7 best NBA players without six-pack abs are Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Yao Ming, LeBron James, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Stephen Curry. These athletes all have different reasons as to why they don’t have six-pack abs.
Shaquille O’Neal
Previously thought to be the strongest man in the world. Has a large frame that makes it difficult for him to maintain fitness regimens
His frame has also led many to believe that he is not capable of having six-pack abs
Charles Barkley
He has a high metabolism which means he burns through calories quickly. The large frame makes it difficult for him to maintain fitness regimens
Yao Ming
As an international basketball star of Chinese heritage, his diet was different than American athletes’ diets.
LeBron James
He spends a lot of time on the court and doesn’t want his body looking out of shape while playing
Dennis Rodman
A retired NBA player who famously had body fat measurements over 40% at the age of 38.
Hakeem Olajuwon
The Nigerian-born basketball player has very little body fat due to his African heritage. His 6-pack abs are there but they’re much more noticeable when he’s not on the court because they can be seen expanding when he’s holding back muscles during his layup or dunking.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry has an amazing tan line. He is fast and is considered by many as one of the top shooters in the NBA and holds several records for his shooting abilities. It should also be noted that Stephen Curry has been injured multiple times in his career.
How Can NBA Players Get Six Pack Abs
The first step in getting six pack abs is by altering your diet. You should eat less processed foods and more vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and good fats daily. In addition, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day as well as take dietary supplements like green tea extract.
Next, you need to exercise often to maintain a strong level of muscle tone. This will help you burn more calories than you consume and will also help prevent muscle loss due to aging.
Finally, NBA players need to do regular cardiovascular exercises such as running or cycling to maintain a healthy heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Conclusion
Six-pack abs may not be necessary to succeed as an NBA player, but they sure are a bonus. While having a six pack is not a requirement to play in the NBA, it still helps. A strong core is necessary to run full speed, jump high, and do all of the other things that basketball players need to do during a game.
Reference
- Best NBA Players 2021: Ranking The Top 100 – Sports Illustrated
https://www.si.com/nba/2020/12/14/top-100-nba-players-2021-daily-cover
- Luka Doncic Is Keeping His Six-Pack Abs Promise
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28698349/luka-doncic-nba-transformation-six-pack-abs-mark-cuban/