Zion Williamson was one of the most exciting prospects to enter the NBA in recent memory. The Duke forward became a highly sought-after commodity before he even entered the league.
The 2019 NBA Draft lottery was a very exciting affair, as teams and fans were waiting to find out which franchise would get the first pick to select Williamson.
Zion was the consensus first pick in the 2019 Draft class, and he eventually went to the New Orleans Pelicans as the first overall pick.
Zion was one of the most talked-about stars in the NBA before he even entered the league in 2019. And many were wondering what Zion would end up being like in the NBA.
While he was still at Duke, one person who had some solid advice for him was Kobe Bryant. In an interview, Bryant was asked what words of advice he would give Zion. Kobe told him that he needed to keep his focus on basketball.
While opportunities off the court are important, it is the game that demands his utmost attention.
“Just focus on the game. That seems very very simple. But that’s the challenge. People pull you from different directions, and you have different opportunities. And that’s fine. But You’ve got to lock in and focus on the most important thing which is the game.”
Zion came in with a lot of expectations around him. He is often considered the most hyped prospect to enter the NBA since LeBron James in 2003. And so far, Zion has lived up to the hype.
Much like LeBron, Zion became an All-Star in his second NBA season and looks set to become the franchise star for the Pelicans. Many within the NBA believe that Zion will be the future face of the NBA, as he is one of the most marketable stars in the league today.
