How did you compare to Zion Williamson as a dunker? David Thompson: Zion is more of a power dunker. He’s got the bulk and the size and the weight, and he can really get up high. I probably could maneuver more in the air. But Zion is awesome. I really like him. Plus he plays for my cousin’s team (Alvin Gentry, Thompson’s cousin, is the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans). Alvin and I grew up together. We sang in the church choir together. We were like brothers at one point.
Zion Williamson Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: F
Born: 07/06/00
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:284 lbs. / 128.8 kg.
Salary: $9,757,440
Born: 07/06/00
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:284 lbs. / 128.8 kg.
Salary: $9,757,440
1d
Zion Williamson’s stepfather solicited and accepted a $400,000 payment from a marketing agent in October 2018 prior to his only season at Duke Blue Devils, according to a court motion and sworn affidavit filed by his former marketing representative’s attorneys in federal court on Thursday. Gina Ford’s attorneys say the affidavit and other exhibits show that Williamson was ineligible when he played for the Blue Devils in 2018-19 because his stepfather received impermissible benefits from Slavko Duric, a Canadian marketing agent.
Exhibits attached to the motion include an affidavit from Donald Kreiss, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, who says he engages in fundraising, deal-making and investing. Kreiss said he was introduced to Duric by a third party and agreed to invest in Duric’s company, Maximum Management Group, in exchange for a percentage of the money generated from its exclusive marketing agreement with Williamson.
In the affidavit, Kreiss wrote that after Williamson signed with CAA to handle his marketing opportunities, he and Anderson agreed to “repay all monies given to his Family in 2018 and pay us seven to ten million dollars.” Kreiss also wrote that Duric had to “‘shred’ any record relating to payment of money and the contract” between Williamson and MMG.
Daniel Wallach: BREAKING: Zion Williamson’s former marketing agent files “newly-discovered evidence” in North Carolina federal lawsuit. New affidavit claims Wiliamson and his stepfather were paid $400K in Oct. 2018 in exchange for granting exclusive marketing rights to another agent.
The Pelicans tweeted out a photo of on July 2 of Williamson, masked up and looking extremely muscular even by his high standards. The internet reacted accordingly, going wild about his physique. But the internet wasn’t the only one impressed by Williamson. Lonzo Ball talked about his rookie teammate during his media availability on Monday. “He looks amazing. He looks fully healthy. He looks even stronger than he was before, if that’s even possible. But I was happy to see him, happy to see he’s in shape and look forward to playing with him.”
Oleh Kosel: Lonzo Ball on Zoom conference call with media says he has seen Zion Williamson during the Pelicans individual workouts and he looks amazing. “He looks more athletic than he did before, if that’s possible.”
While the team hasn’t disclosed which players tested positive, sources say Williamson wasn’t one of them. The protocol alone makes that much obvious, as players who test positive have to self isolate for 14 days and can’t take part in physical activity or be at the team’s facility during that time.
While the team hasn’t disclosed which players tested positive, sources say Williamson wasn’t one of them. The protocol alone makes that much obvious, as players who test positive have to self isolate for 14 days and can’t take part in physical activity or be at the team’s facility during that time.
Williamson said he got on the court “every day” during the quarantine period with his stepdad, since he wasn’t allowed to work with the Pelicans’ coaching staff because of NBA guidelines. When asked where he was working out, Williamson let out a laugh. “I can’t tell you all my secrets, man,” Williamson said. “Some things I gotta keep to myself.”
Count Josh Hart as one of Williamson’s teammates who was impressed with how he looked in the gym once players got back together. “I think body-wise, he looks amazing,” Hart said. “He looks good. His shot looks better than it has in a while. He’s been putting the work in, and that’s great to see. “And he’s one of the players that has one of the biggest spotlights in the league and in the world right now. So he’s handled everything with great humility. I’m very surprised and proud of just how he handles all that stuff.”
Asked Thursday for specifics on where and how he was able to get on a basketball court every day of the NBA’s three-month hiatus, the 19-year-old smiled and replied, “I can’t tell you all of my secrets, man. I think I’ve got to keep that to myself.” Williamson had just finished explaining to reporters that despite the ongoing pandemic, he and stepfather Lee Anderson held daily basketball sessions, gaining access to gyms at undisclosed locations.
Williamson’s pro career began with an earthquake erupting during his summer league debut in Las Vegas; he was sidelined for 44 regular season games due to a knee injury, played in 19, then was forced off the hardwood again in mid-March by COVID-19. “The last 12 months have been a different experience,” he said, shaking his head. “With the injury, all the different stuff going on. Not playing basketball as much as I’m used to. It’s been a crazy experience. But I stick with my family. My mom tells me, ‘Life is life. You may go through a lot of good times and bad times. Prepare yourself as best you can.’ For me, (the best way to do that is) sticking with my family.”
“I think this can be a very special team,” Williamson said, when asked about NOLA’s potential. “It’s about us coming together, fighting those mental battles of being in the bubble (at Disney). If we can come together, we can do something really special.”
Oleh Kosel: For those who have been asking for pics throughout NBA suspension, here’s your proof: Zion Williamson appears to be in fantastic physical shape. And how about the #WontBowDown gear, the pose and glare coinciding with an important public service announcement? Hell yes. #MaskUp
The New Orleans Pelicans star and the 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been named the NBA 2K21 cover athlete on next-generation consoles. “Realizing that I am going to be on the cover of NBA 2K21 was one of those moments that I am still processing,” said Williamson over a Zoom chat with Sports Illustrated. “I dreamed about being on the cover and for 2K to give me this honor, it means a lot because I have always played 2K with teammates and all my friends growing up. 2K has always been there with me. Looking at each cover and thinking maybe one day I could possibly be on the cover of one of these and for it to actually happen is a lot to process.”
Will Guillory: NBA 2K21 announces Zion Williamson as their second cover athlete next year, joining Damian Lillard. pic.twitter.com/XRC16PR0ep
Oleh Kosel: David Griffin on how Zion Williamson has looked asides his physical fitness: “He is handling the ball really well and the shooting looks great.”
How much have you seen Zion in the past few weeks and what do you think we should expect from him once he gets back on the floor? Alvin Gentry: I’ve seen him a lot and we’ve talked a lot about things we expect him to do when everyone is back. I think he’s worked extremely hard during the time away. I think, to some degree, you’ll see everybody a little rusty when we come back because we’ve been away for so long. But he’ll get himself right, and I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t pick up right where he left off.
“Zion has been diligent about taking care of himself,” said David Griffin, the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations. “He’s in a good space physically and mentally.” Another team source went a step further. “He’s going to shock some people,” the source said.
Other league sources expect the Pelicans to get plenty of prime-time television opportunities in Orlando. “It’s obvious a ton of people will watch just to watch him,” another Western Conference executive said. “Go back and look at how full the arena was at summer league to go watch him play. It will be huge for [him to be in the bubble].”
“[Williamson is] a guy that drives eyeballs and attention,” said the Eastern Conference executive, before referencing another rising star coming off an injury who met a title favorite in the NBA playoffs almost 30 years ago. “[The NBA] would love to have a Michael Jordan versus the ’86 Celtics moment in the first round,” the executive continued. “If they could get their ideal world, that’s what they would want.”
If social media had been around, it would’ve been crazy. The closest thing we’ve seen is probably Zion Williamson (who became a household name in high school) or Andrew Wigggins (who had a viral mixtape at 13 years old). Are you glad that you didn’t have to deal with even more attention online or do you think it would’ve helped you? Schea Cotton: I mean, it would have helped me because you have a ready-made marketing tool with social media. Back then, you couldn’t get any bigger than Sports Illustrated! All these mixtapes and stuff, that’s great man, but you got to remember before all of that, the pinnacle was Sports Illustrated and I think it still has an impressive stature today. The issue that I was in, the cover was when Brazil won the World Cup. The title was “Viva! Brazil” There was a four-page layout, and I was 15 years old when that happened! We’re talking about Zion Williamson, and Zion Williamson is a freak of an athlete today… Zion is probably the closest thing to what I was as far as the explosiveness, but my skill set was much better at this phase in the game. I think if he can develop his guard skills and his mid-range, he’s going to be unstoppable because he’s already a problem around the basket.
NBA star Zion Williamson’s attorneys on Monday called his former agent’s allegations he violated NCAA rules at Duke “unsubstantiated conjecture” as they seek relief from a federal judge in their contract dispute. In court documents filed in Greensboro at the U.S. District Court for North Carolina’s Middle District and obtained by the News & Observer, Williamson’s attorneys charge Gina Ford with “an effort to point the finger at Williamson and his family, levying a stream of offensive and baseless insinuations.”
“Rather than defend their conduct,” the court filing stated, “defendants seek to shift the focus with salacious and false rumors from unreliable sources outside the pleadings. Defendants cite Wikipedia articles, Zillow estimates and hearsay ruled inadmissible by other federal judges. They even embrace rank speculation that Duke intentionally violated NCAA regulations by certifying Williamson’s eligibility. Defendants allegations are baseless and, more importantly for purposes of this motion, irrelevant.”
Zion Williamson’s legal team is going for the win. On Monday, Williamson’s lawyers fired back at Prime Sports, his ex-marketing agency, and asked a North Carolina federal judge “to decide this case.”
In an attempt to call into question Williamson’s status as a student-athlete, Prime Sports has accused Williamson of accepting improper benefits to attend Duke. In their latest court filing, Williamson’s legal team called those accusations “baseless, but more importantly for purposes of this motion, irrelevant.” Williamson’s lawyers went to argue that the agreement between Williamson and Prime Sports is void due to the Uniform Athletes Agents Act, which requires agents to register with the state while they are in contact with student-athletes.
Though Redick had never met Williamson prior to this season, the former Duke Blue Devil had heard great things from those around Williamson last year on campus. Once Redick eventually met Williamson, he was blown away by his demeanor and character. Speaking with Bill Simmons on his podcast, Redick once again had good things to say about Williamson and believes he is on track to enjoy great success throughout his NBA career. My first impression of him is I have never met a 19- or 20-year-old who is that famous, and that famous from such a young age, who is so level-headed. Like, he’s not an [expletive]. He doesn’t have a big head. I think the biggest thing for him is just learning to develop the right habits but I have no doubt that he is going to do that.
Though Redick had never met Williamson prior to this season, the former Duke Blue Devil had heard great things from those around Williamson last year on campus. Once Redick eventually met Williamson, he was blown away by his demeanor and character. Speaking with Bill Simmons on his podcast, Redick once again had good things to say about Williamson and believes he is on track to enjoy great success throughout his NBA career. My first impression of him is I have never met a 19- or 20-year-old who is that famous, and that famous from such a young age, who is so level-headed. Like, he’s not an [expletive]. He doesn’t have a big head. I think the biggest thing for him is just learning to develop the right habits but I have no doubt that he is going to do that.
Attorneys representing a marketing director who is suing Zion Williamson filed a subpoena on Wednesday to “Produce Documents, Information, or Objections or to Permit Inspection of Premises in a Civil Action on the following”: 1. NCAA, LLC R/A Douglas J. Kosek 413 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, IN. 46601 Only problem: the NCAA is in Indianapolis not South Bend, and Doug Kosek is a dentist. I tried to call Dr. Kosek at his office. Kelly, one of his receptionists, called back and said he was seeing patients but was rather amused — and confused — about how her kindly boss, who’s known for his “smile and warm demeanor,” according to the DK Dental website, might get drawn into this whole thing.
Later, co-attorneys Alvin Pittman and Lorenzo Williams called and when told they filed an intent to subpoena to a dentist, Williams responded, “Wow.” At first, Pittman said they had not made an error, insisting that the subpoena went to whoever was listed as the recipient in the office. When told that Kosek, again, is a dentist, Pittman paused and said, “It must be a clerical error. We are unaware of everything that gets done. We don’t do all of the typing. Obviously, this is a mistake we need to look into.” Williams said it can be corrected; when asked about such a grievous error in a case of such magnitude and attention, Pittman replied, “Certainly we understand that. We don’t want to have so much as a typo.”
Attorneys representing a marketing director who is suing Zion Williamson filed a subpoena on Wednesday to “Produce Documents, Information, or Objections or to Permit Inspection of Premises in a Civil Action on the following”: 1. NCAA, LLC R/A Douglas J. Kosek 413 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, IN. 46601 Only problem: the NCAA is in Indianapolis not South Bend, and Doug Kosek is a dentist. I tried to call Dr. Kosek at his office. Kelly, one of his receptionists, called back and said he was seeing patients but was rather amused — and confused — about how her kindly boss, who’s known for his “smile and warm demeanor,” according to the DK Dental website, might get drawn into this whole thing.
Later, co-attorneys Alvin Pittman and Lorenzo Williams called and when told they filed an intent to subpoena to a dentist, Williams responded, “Wow.” At first, Pittman said they had not made an error, insisting that the subpoena went to whoever was listed as the recipient in the office. When told that Kosek, again, is a dentist, Pittman paused and said, “It must be a clerical error. We are unaware of everything that gets done. We don’t do all of the typing. Obviously, this is a mistake we need to look into.” Williams said it can be corrected; when asked about such a grievous error in a case of such magnitude and attention, Pittman replied, “Certainly we understand that. We don’t want to have so much as a typo.”
Solomon Hill: hating.. you know my fam did time? lost his job. i seen a number one player lose it all from being exploited, tf im hating on. two black coaches doing plea deals, while Jay and Duke Vital scream for UofA’s and other teams downfall, I just want that same energy.
A Florida appeals court has granted Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson’s motion to block his former marketing agent’s effort to have the ex-Duke star answer questions about whether he received improper benefits before playing for the Blue Devils. The order Wednesday shifts the focus to a separate but related case between the same litigants in federal court in North Carolina. The Florida lawsuit, filed last summer by Prime Sports Marketing and company president Gina Ford, accused Williamson and the agency now representing him of breach of contract and seeks $100 million in damages.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some industries to boom or bust in light of social distancing protocols. The sports card trading community, however, is one of those that have seen a sudden surge, and even peaking new heights. Recently, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson’s rookie card sold for just under $100,000.
Attorneys for Zion Williamson’s former marketing agent are continuing their legal push to examine whether the former Duke All-American accepted improper benefits before playing for the Blue Devils, allegations the NBA rookie’s attorney said are “baseless.” Prime Sports Marketing and company president Gina Ford last summer in a Florida, accusing Williamson and the agency now representing him of breach of contract. That came after Williamson had a week earlier in North Carolina to terminate a five-year contract with Prime Sports after moving to Creative Artists Agency LLC.
Shams Charania on Jrue Holiday: There was a lot of talk around the league that he did not want to be in New Orleans and as the trade deadline near he let New Orleans know that, ‘I do not want to be moved, I’d rather stay here see and this thing through’ and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they really started to play well and then Zion Williamson’s return was right around the corner. That’s why I think this finish for New Orleans is going to be so important. Can they get in the playoffs? What damage can they do?
Shams Charania on Jrue Holiday: There was a lot of talk around the league that he did not want to be in New Orleans and as the trade deadline near he let New Orleans know that, ‘I do not want to be moved, I’d rather stay here see and this thing through’ and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they really started to play well and then Zion Williamson’s return was right around the corner. That’s why I think this finish for New Orleans is going to be so important. Can they get in the playoffs? What damage can they do?
