Zion Williamson Still Heavily Favored to Go 1st Overall in 2019 NBA Draft

• Duke’s freshman superstar remains a massive favorite to be this year’s top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft
• Early reports indicate that Williamson will not be sidelined long term by this week’s injury
• No shortage of star candidates to go first overall should Williamson’s injury woes linger

Zion Williamson may have seen his freshman college basketball season with the Duke Blue Devils come to a premature end after suffering a knee injury in Duke’s 88-72 loss to the archrival North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday night.

But with Williamson reportedly avoiding serious injury from a bizarre shoe malfunction early in the contest, the freshman star remains heavily favored to go first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, sporting short -1000 odds.

Here’s the knee injury that ended Zion Williamson’s night…. pic.twitter.com/2gkKTq7gTl

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 21, 2019

Odds Zion Williamson is 1st Pick in 2019 NBA Draft?

*Odds taken 2/21

Zion’s Spectacular Debut Powering Duke’s Climb to Top of March Madness Odds

Williamson has fulfilled the promise during a spectacular freshman campaign in Durham.

The 18-year-old forward has averaged 21.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while recording double-doubles on 10 occasions, and has been a key factor in the Blue Devils’ rise to to the top of the AP Top 25 national rankings.

The Blue Devils have also benefited on the March Madness odds, where they have made a steady climb to their current perch as +250 favorites to claim their second national championship since 2015.

Adidas walking into their shoe deal meeting with Zion pic.twitter.com/eGJi0gbMXV

— Will K (@ATonOfKester) February 21, 2019

Nike, the manufacturer of Williamson’s ill-fated shoes, may not fare so well following Wednesday night’s embarrassing incident, and now trails Adidas as a +150 bet to sign the Salisbury, North Carolina native to an endorsement deal upon his arrival in the NBA.

Spotlight Turns to Barrett, Reddish, Mornat

In addition, a lot could happen between now and June 20, when the NBA Draft takes place at Barclays Center that could add value to the +500 odds of Williamson not going first overall.

Looks like #Scottiepippen was actually right about #ZionWilliamson https://t.co/RFWDmQDlDN

— Jen Kennings (@MySuperCoin) February 21, 2019

Williamson has received plenty of unsolicited advice in the hours following his injury, urging him to shut it down for the rest of the season, and focus on the Draft. But he remains a +150 favorite to risk further injury by returning to action before the end of Duke’s regular season.

RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish scored big vs. UNC.

The rest of the Duke squad?

Not so much. pic.twitter.com/wvXYqdqnXC

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 21, 2019

A bigger spotlight will also be focused on Duke freshmen RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, who now enjoy an opportunity to boost their draft stock in Williamson’s absence.

Murray State sophomore Ja Mornat is also making a strong case for consideration as this year’s top prospect.

Ja Morant's stat line tonight: 32 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal.

There's a reason he's getting so much attention these days. https://t.co/NR2ArpeKhh

— SI College Hoops (@si_ncaabb) February 15, 2019

The 19-year-old has lifted the Racers to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings, and in striking distance of a consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in two decades. He could emerge as a dark horse to be this year’s first overall pick should Williamson’s injury troubles linger.