Before Zion Williamson became the NBA’s human highlight reel, he was must-see TV at Duke. During the 2018–19 NCAA season, the 6’6″, 285-pound phenom put up 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 68%.
Every Duke game became a national spectacle. From the exploded Nike shoe incident to rim-rattling dunks that broke the internet, Zion was college basketball’s biggest attraction in years. Alongside RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, Duke became the favorite to win it all.
But March Madness had other plans.
In a classic Elite Eight matchup, Michigan State edged out Duke 68–67, denying Zion a title in what would be his only NCAA season. Still, he walked away with Naismith Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
His brief college career may not have ended in a championship, but it reignited national interest in the NCAA and made Duke must-watch TV again.
