The Rising Stars Challenge recently concluded, and first overall pick Zion Williamson did not disappoint. The Pelicans rookie showed out on Friday night at Chicago, Illinois, ending the game with 14 points and noteworthy slams. In fact, the 19-year-old’s performance even left the backboard tilted.
When asked subsequently about the temporary equipment damage, Zion replied, “My teammates started telling me about it. I don’t know which dunk it was on but I don’t think it was me.”
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson on the busted hoop during the Rising Stars Challenge: “My teammates started telling me about it. I don’t know which dunk it was on but I don’t think it was me.” pic.twitter.com/M9UlbLuEiH
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 15, 2020
The question likely came due to Williamson’s numerous dunks throughout the game, including several lobs from fellow Rookie of the Year contender Ja Morant. Morant himself ended with 10 points and 6 assists.
The show, however, is not over for the two, as other Rising Stars representatives were asked earlier regarding the Rookie of the Year race. Ja Morant was notably the most prominent, but Zion’s name also floated around.
In fact, the 6’6” power forward has only played his first 10 NBA games for the Pelicans, but already has eight 20-point performances. Only Michael Jordan has previously held the record.
Williamson, in under 28 minutes per game, has achieved averages of 22.1 points, 7.5 assists, and 0.7 steals. With around 30 games left in the season, the rookie still has more chances to prove his talent. Ja Morant, however, is not an easy opponent. With 17.6 points and 7.1 assists per game, he is currently leading the Grizzlies to a playoff spot in the West.
The Rising Stars game concluded with the two rookies’ team USA winning against Team World, 151-131. Their teammate, Charlotte forward Miles Bridges, eventually won Rising Stars MVP with 20 points. New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett, on the other hand, led Team World with a game-high 27 points.
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