Zion Williamson hasn’t played with the New Orleans Pelicans for more than a year now but he’s still easily the centerpiece of the team as well as one of the most talked-about players in the league.
But even though he is a superstar and poised to have a huge comeback season, Williamson never forgets where he comes from – or who helped get him where he is now.
Zion pulled up to NBA Summer League rocking a Coach K shirt 🐐 @DukeMBB
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/e1SSA5a14W
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) July 13, 2022
This was on full display on Wednesday night, as Williamson sat courtside during his team’s Summer League game.
The 22-year-old basketball beast was wearing a shirt featuring the coach that trained him back at Duke, Coach K.
Williamson is looking to make Coach K – and the rest of his supporters – proud in the year ahead.
The Knowledge Of K
Williamson played at Duke in the 2018-19 season and helped them achieve a 32-6 record.
They would eventually lose in the regional final to Michigan State but Williamson was able to really make an impression on many people, including millions of NBA fans who saw him as the next big thing.
They were right but Williamson has faced a few bumps in the road since being the number one draft pick in 2019.
He missed the entire 2021-22 season as he recovered from a nasty foot injury, surgery, and rehab.
There were many rumors about Williamson during that time, including suggestions that he didn’t want to return to the Pelicans.
But that definitely doesn’t seem to be the case, he looked elated to root on his team and has gotten in great shape as the regular season approaches.
Williamson was smiling as he watched the Summer League game on Wednesday but he will have more reasons to smile in the months ahead.
NEXT: Pelicans Dealt A Terrible Blow In Summer League Play