The number 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and highly touted forward, Zion Williamson faces off against his former blueblood, college teammate and savior of the New York Knicks R.J. Barrett on July 5th, at 9:30 pm on ESPN. The matchup between the two highly sought after rookies will more than certain highlight the entire NBA summer league schedule. R.J. Barrett the son of former Canadian pro, Rowan Barrett was the number 3 overall pick of the New York Knicks. R.J. Barrett, who only worked out for one NBA team the Knicks, wanted to be in New York and save a franchise who hasn’t been anything other than a complete dumpster fire in the last 6 seasons since its last playoff appearance.
The two blue bloods in Williamson and Barrett, took the college world by storm this past season at Duke University receiving honors such as NPOY, 1st team All American honors, and 1st team All-ACC, before being bounced in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, against a pesky Tom Izzo led Michigan State Spartans.
The Naismith National Player of the year, Zion Williamson who has often been compared to the likes of Lebron James, Blake Griffin, and Charles Barkley looks to fill the void in New Orleans after NBA all-star Anthony Davis was traded this past week to the Los Angeles Lakers. The city of New Orleans needs its new savior and Zion Williamson looks to erase any recent memory of Anthony Davis. The new look Pelicans will look to feature Zion Williamson as its premiere player and star.
Moreover, The Pelicans didn’t just acquire future assets from the Lakers; they acquired multiple future first rounds picks to build a team led by Williamson. After being selected number one overall Zion sat down with NBATV to reflect on the selection.
” You dream about these things, you work hard for the chance that’ll happen, to hear my name called number 1, you cant ask for more than that”
You can expect tons of fireworks on July 5 at the Thomas and Mack center out in Vegas. This matchup may be the most watched summer league game ever. We will find out soon if RJ is ready to “A.I” Zion for his survival.
Flip the page to see an emotional Zion Williamson reflect on his number 1 selection