Zion Williamson's natural talent is so transcendent that people often forget that the New Orleans Pelicans rookie is just 19 years old. So much so that the Duke alum is already dealing with lofty and often unfair expectations after playing his first 11 games as a professional.
In a clip posted by NBA on ESPN, Williamson opened up about the massive weight of expectations he is currently balancing on his shoulders.
“I think sometimes I just forget the stage I'm on and what I have to do and how much harder I have to work. I like look in the mirror like, ‘Man, I wonder if they know I'm 19,'” Williamson shared.
The 6-foot-7 specimen also cited the age disparity between his Pelicans teammates like JJ Redick, Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors who are all fathers.
“I don't know how to take care of a kid. I don't think I'll have one anytime soon,” Zion added.
"… I like look in the mirror like, 'Man, I wonder if they know I'm 19.'"
—Zion on expectations on him this season 😆 pic.twitter.com/4VZxMMAoWD
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 22, 2020
Judging by his stats, Zion Williamson is certainly living up to the billing of being the number one overall pick of 2019's talented draft class.
His meteoric rise has been under the microscope since his early days as a high school phenom at Spartanburg Day and his one-and-done year with the Blue Devils.
Williamson is notching 22.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his first season with Alvin Gentry and the Pelicans. He is making 57.8 percent of his shots from the field and 36.4 percent from downtown.
Even before he was officially drafted, fans have been salivating on the idea of him participating in the Dunk Contest. That, of course, did not materialize this year since he just got back from a knee injury he sustained in the preseason.
Williamson still managed to make it to the United Center as he was fielded in as an injury replacement in the Rising Stars Challenge.
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