The New Orleans Pelicans just became one of the most exciting and promising teams in the NBA.
They drafted Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday’s draft, and the Pelicans will feature a roster in 2019-20 that includes Williamson and the players New Orleans will receive from the Los Angeles Lakers when the Anthony Davis trade becomes official: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart plus two more first-round picks from Thursday’s draft.
"What excites me the most is the fact that they're young and they're close to my age so they can help me a lot more, like how to deal with this transition," Williamson said. "I think we can build something over there."
As Williamson walked off the stage after shaking NBA commissioner Adam Silver's hand, he was overcome with emotion. He was quick to thank his mother, who was his coach as a youngster and pushed him to achieve his dream.
"I don't know what to say," Williamson said. "I didn't think I'd be in this position. ... I wouldn't be here without my mom. She did everything for me. I just want to thank her."
A year ago, Williamson was not the projected No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, but early into his freshman season at Duke, he emerged as a potential No. 1 prospect and by the end of his season, he was the clear No. 1.
In Williamson — the third No. 1 overall pick from Duke, joining Elton Brand (1999) and Kyrie Irving (2011) — New Orleans gets one of the most explosive players to come out of the draft in at least a decade and the most hyped draft pick since LeBron James in 2003.
During Wednesday's media day, Williamson held court and wasn't shy about sharing his goals.
“MVP, rookie of the year, eventually possibly defensive player of the year, Hall of Famer,” Williamson said. “If you don’t hold yourself to those standards or try to carry yourself as such, then I don’t know what you’re striving for.”
At 18 years old, he’s ready to be the face of a franchise.
