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New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has decided to withdraw from the USA Basketball Select Team for this summer's FIBA World Cup training, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania also notes that the Pelicans are focused on fully integrating the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft into the franchise:
Williamson and the Pelicans are focused on having the top pick fully integrated into the franchise and its new additions this offseason — as quickly as possible. USA has available pool of names to choose from even as players withdraw. https://t.co/8RZjRL1qyc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2019
Williamson, now 19 years of age, will look to lead the Pelicans in the coming season. The South Carolina native made 33 appearances with the Blue Devils in his lone season at Duke, racking up averages of 22.6 points on 68.0 percent shooting from the field (33.8 percent from beyond the arc), 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.0 minutes per outing.
Though he hasn't played a single game, Zion is already becoming a star in New Orleans. In fact, he and his family were met with traditional New Orleans jazz music when they walked into the Pelicans' headquarters for an introductory press conference.
The Pelicans finished the 2018-19 regular season campaign with a 33-49 overall record, which left the team out of playoff contention.
Now, with Zion on the roster as their new front man, New Orleans will look to find their way back into the postseason hunt.
