Zion Williamson caused a lot of expectation since before reaching professional basketball with the New Orleans Pelicansstanding out with Duke University for his spectacular power play and the energy he projected on the pitchsome of the qualities that made the teams of the NBA They rubbed their hands imagining what they would be able to do with it.
Unfortunately, lack of health is becoming Zion’s ordealwho has not been able to play a single game this season 2021-22, due to an injury to the right foot (fracture)and it seems that it will be a blank campaign, after some sources revealed to the digital medium The Athletic what they do not expect the player to return for the remainder of the contest.
Also, it is announced that, despite the bad news of not returning for the 2021-22 campaign, Zion is making significant progress physically to return in the future, such as stationary shots and put some weight on the injured foot.
With only 11 games remaining on the schedule for New Orleans, It already seems very difficult for the third-year player to be with the team againfor which it would imply that he goes from solo activities and without physical contact, to scenarios of five against five and with physical contact, emulating game situations.
Just two weeks ago Williamson returned to New Orleansafter undergoing foot rehabilitation in Portland. The 21-year-old striker has been discharged to perform in activities related to basketballHe has even attended a few Pelicans home games.
According to those who have been close to him, he looks happy around teammates and coaches, turning off for now the rumors that link him with a probable departure or of an unpleasant permanence in the club.
Williamson underwent surgery to repair his broken foot last summer and had several probable return dates that were postponed to return this season.
Unfortunately for Pelicans fans and Zion himselfthe expectation of him has not exceeded reality, even the striker has already earned more money —75 million dollars— for the sponsorship that Nike has paid himeven launched a tennis line under his signature, which for salary (45 million dollars) as a player.
Williamson has been the object of desire for many teams and brands since before he was an NBA prospect, something that it was confirmed when the New Orleans Pelicans got the first pick global of 2019 NBA Draft and they did not hesitate for a second to take Zion with that privileged position, which was not only logical or expected, but even obligatory.
Due to various injuries, Williamson only managed to play a total of 24 games in his rookie campaignaveraging 22.5 points per game, joining late and leaving that feeling of what he could have achieved if he had played it completelyand if I could have taken the prize from Rookie of the Year to Ja Morantof the memphis grizzlies.
In his second campaign, all doubts about his real capacity were dispelled when he played in 2020-21 what has been his best season so far, appearing in 61 games, averaging 27.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per gameeven being called to the All-Star Game and not only that, but as a starter.
The arrival of CJ McCollum before the redemption deadline last month, via a trade with the Portland Trail Blazerscould be one of the reasons to motivate Williamson’s return with the Pelicans for the 2022-23 NBA campaign, but your health is something that can only be answered with the passage of timebecause until now that issue has been the anchor that has not allowed it to advance as many expected.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED | ON VIDEO
The last straw: two motorcyclists collide head-on while driving on an empty street
We would love to give thanks to the writer of this article for this awesome material
Zion Williamson, the player who earns more from endorsements than from his salary