Zion Williamson Misses Out on Breaking Allen Iverson’s 14-YO Elite NBA Record by Two Points

Zion Williamson shot to popularity when he was just a 16-YO. World-famous rapper Drake posted a picture of him wearing the #12 Spartanburg Day School jersey and changed Zion’s life. That’s how a giant got introduced to the world of basketball.

Just 2.5 years after that fortunate happening in Zion’s life, the New Orleans Pelicans picked him overall #1 in the 2019 NBA Drafts. After that recruitment, everyone thought he would inevitably win the Rookie of the Year. But things took a downturn when he injured his knees just a few months into the league.

Zion Williamson and his much-awaited comeback

Zanos played just 24 games in his debut season. In those many games, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 boards, 2.1 assists at 58.3% from the field and 42.9% from behind the arc. These numbers were good enough to help him become the ROY had he played the entire season. But his failure to keep fit helped his former AAU teammate Ja Morant to bring the trophy home.

However, the 6’6” 280 lbs star worked very hard for the entire off-season and improved on the biomechanics of his body. He looked fit from his Insta posts during the season break, and now he has finally made his return.

In the Pelicans’ opening game against the Toronto Raptors, the power forward played his 25th career game and ‘almost’ made a record. With his 15 points in the game, Zion collected 555 NBA points in just 25 games. Only Allen Iverson (who made his debut in 1996) had more points in those many games.

Zanos and his past trouble with injuries

Every NBA analyst agrees that the only obstacle between Zion and his assured success is his fitness. In 2017 (the same year when he shot to fame), he suffered from a terrible knee bruise that forced him to miss some AAU games. Then later, he injured his foot during a Duke vs North Carolina game, followed by a left knee injury during Las Vegas Summer League. 

Upon joining the Pelicans, the rising star again reported knee soreness after a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs where he scored a double-double. All these mishaps limited his first season, and hence a few of his records.

The good news is that he is now back with his franchise listing a victory. The Pelicans defeated the Raptors 113-99 with some brilliant performances from JJ Redick, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Eric Bledsoe too.