Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican, and New Orleans is buzzing about the Duke legend’s selection with the first pick in last night’s NBA Draft. After shaking hands with the commissioner, Zion, his mom, and his little brother gathered for an interview where the top pick was overcome with emotion. He spoke about it afterwards…
Pelicans’ Executive Vice President David Griffen sat triumphantly at a post pick press conference. He says the pick is a watershed moment for the franchise, but for the upcoming 2019-2020, it’ll still be established All-Star point guard Jrue Holliday’s team…
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The team also grabbed hyper-athletic Texas Center Jaxson Hayes and sharpshooting Virginia tech guard Nikeil Alexander-Walker in the first round.
Not a great night for LSU basketball in the draft though. Tremont Waters did manage to get picked up by the Celtics in the second round with the 51stoverall selection, but former five-star recruit, two-year Tiger Naz Reid fell out of the draft completely after being thought of as a lottery selection in the pre-season. Reid underwhelmed at the athletic testing portion of the combine, and reportedly scared away teams with his inconsistent effort levels throughout the season.
Reid eventually found a potential pathway into the NBA when the Minnesota Timberwolves negotiated a two year “two-way” contract that will see the former Tiger likely spend most of the first year or two of his career playing in the G-League with the Wolves evaluate his progress.
Saints Defensive End Cameron Jordan congratulated 1st overall pick Zion Williamson before the draft, telling him to just embrace the community, and if you buy all the way in, the community will too.