Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Zion Williamson, you’re not alone.
Cavaliers head coach Larry Drew said Thursday prior to their 111-98 win over the Phoenix Suns that Williamson isn’t the first to blow out a shoe on a basketball court.
Drew recalled that he had the misfortune of doing just that as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers back in the early 90’s during training camp, but unlike Williamson he didn’t suffer an injury, just a little embarrassment.
“It was kind a weird thing that happened,” Drew said. “I was in Hawaii. We were playing in a small gym that had no air conditioning. Shoes got saturated very quickly. I tried to come to a stop and my foot right came out the side of my shoe.”
When asked if they were Nikes Drew laughed and said, "they were not Nikes. Definitely not."
Wednesday night just 33 seconds into Duke’s loss to rival North Carolina Williamson injured his right knee after loosing his footing when his left shoe split in two.
Duke announced Thursday that, “Williamson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right knee sprain. He is progressing as expected, and his status is day-to-day.”
Williamson, a freshman commonly referred to by fans by his first name, Zion, is regarded as the top prospect in this year’s draft class.
The Cavaliers have the NBA's third-worst record at 13-46 following Thursday night's win over Phoenix but they currently have the same odds as the 11-49 Suns and 11-47 Knicks to win the NBA Draft Lottery and the right to draft Zion in June.
