In his first preseason action in the NBA, top pick Zion Williamson looked worthy of his No. 1 overall selection.
Drafted by the Pelicans out of Duke, Williamson took the floor for New Orleans and had a trio of rim-rattling dunks against the Atlanta Hawks before the first half was even done.
One of the dunks was right-handed, one was lefty and the third was a double-hand slam.
ZION ALREADY CATCHING BODIES 🚨 @Zionwilliamson pic.twitter.com/TIQrv60yNk
— Overtime (@overtime) October 8, 2019
“This isn’t high school or college anymore,” Williamson said, according to The Associated Press. “You’ve got to go up strong. So I went up strong and I was able to finish.”
.@Zionwilliamson (16 PTS & 7 REB) put on a show in his #NBAPreseason debut! 💪 pic.twitter.com/vGTy8pi9LU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 8, 2019
The crowd that showed up to watch the Pelicans notch their 133-109 victory over the Hawks was more engaged than usual and Williamson delivered, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
For the 19-year-old star, the game was a chance for him to take the court with his Duke Cam Reddish who was taken by the Hawks with the 10th selection in the draft
“It’s crazy,” Williamson said. “Just a few months ago, we were in college together, just chillin’ and having fun with each other, playing in games, and now we’re pros. It was a different feel for sure. But it was great seeing him.”
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