College freshman sensation Zion Williamson will again feature on the top plays for all the major US sport shows tonight, but not for his usual rim-rattling dunks and high-flying blocks.
Just a few seconds into Duke's blockbuster matchup against North Carolina, Williamson was removed from the game after his Nike shoe blew out, clutching his knee as he collapsed to the ground.
Many celebrities and big names were there to watch the biggest rivalry in college basketball, high profiles such as Barrack Obama and director Spike Lee were in attendance, but the hype was short lived following Williamson's mishap.
Zion Williamsonโs Nike shoe just exploded on national TV!
(Via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/de4WF3wfR1
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 21, 2019
The projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft limped to the locker room with what seemed to be a knee concern, however the full extent of the injury is still unknown.
Williamson is one of the most exciting prospects to ever step foot in a college basketball arena, and the accident spells trouble for the Nike brand, who will be looking to a sign the teenage prodigy prior to him entering the NBA draft.
The deal has the potential to reach upward of a million $USD, and the shoe split sent the world of Twitter into a frenzy, with NBA superstar LeBron James and more commenting on the story.
Hope young fella is ok! Literally blew thru his ๐. ๐๐พ
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 21, 2019
Zion Williamson seems like an outstanding young man as well as an outstanding basketball player. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 21, 2019
Coach K: โWeโre very concerned about Zion. Itโs a mild knee sprain. We will know about length of time tomorrow. Itโs stable. Obviously it has an impact. You lose the NPOY on the 1st play.โ pic.twitter.com/SCq6DBjnkJ
— Duke Menโs Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 21, 2019
Williamson's injury put a damper on the once-happy puntersย who spent thousands to secure a seat to watch the Blue Devils in action. It's told that one of the cheapest tickets to the game could be bought for a less-than-affordable $2,000 USD.
The athleticism that comes along with his 6'7, 285 lbs frame makes Williamson one of the greatest attractions in college sports history.
The fact and ongoing debate surrounding NCAA athletes, who still receive no monetary rewards for playing, yet could be making millions in the NBA, would only cause more pain for the freakish 18-year-old powerhouse who is good enough to play with the best.
Again letโs remember all the money that went into this game.... and these players get none of it.... and now Zion gets hurt... something has to change @NCAA
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 21, 2019
Absolutely. This season has an utterly shameful exercise in exploitation from NCAA. Anywhere else in the work Zion would have been entitled to millions in salary and bonuses for all the business he drove.... #NBA https://t.co/LXpNxLx7qW
— Roy Ward (@rpjward) February 21, 2019
Nike have a lot to answer for, and the mishap will spark concerns for Williamson, as fans around the world pray that the talented freshman returns to his explosive best soon.