Zion Williamson: A New Era for the New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson, an 18-year-old basketball prodigy from Spartanburg, South Carolina, has taken the NBA by storm since being drafted first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft. Here's a closer look at Williamson's journey to the NBA and his impact on the New Orleans Pelicans.

A Star in the Making

Zion Williamson's rise to stardom began at Spartanburg Day School, where he led his team to three straight state championships and was named South Carolina's Mr. Basketball three times. In 2018, he committed to Duke University, where he averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and led the Blue Devils to the ACC regular season and tournament championships. Williamson was named the ACC Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.

An Electric Debut

Williamson made his NBA debut on January 22, 2019, and immediately made an impact, scoring 22 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. He quickly became a fan favorite in New Orleans, averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his rookie season. Williamson was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-Rookie First Team.

A Superstar in the Making

In his second season, Williamson took his game to another level, averaging 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He led the Pelicans to their first playoff berth since 2018 and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. Williamson has quickly become one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the NBA, and he is poised to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to even greater heights in the years to come.