Zion Williamson on re-signing with Pelicans: 'Ultimate goal is to acquire a championship'

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson agreed to a maximum deal extension last week with one objective in thoughts – proving he can triumph over all the obstacles that have been in his way and acquire.

Williamson, one particular of the most hyped, young basketball gamers coming out of university in the latest memory, agreed to the offer value about $193 million. He resolved his choice to signal the extension in a push conference on Wednesday.

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New Orleans Pelicans ahead Zion Williamson shakes palms with New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green with New Orleans Pelicans vice president of basketball functions David Griffin standing in the background after chatting to the media about signing his contract extension at the Dryades YMCA in New Orleans, Wednesday, July 6, 2022. (Max Becherer/The Instances-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate by using G3 Box News)

"The last handful of months were a roller-coaster of thoughts. The world just ran with narratives, and so when my loved ones was likely out in community, they are finding harassed by people today about why we will not like New Orleans or why we will not want to be below, when that is not the situation at all," he mentioned.

"I wasn't able to play due to the fact my foot was broke. Each time I checked my cell phone it's usually anything damaging. Even when you happen to be hoping to make beneficial of the scenario, it was pretty tough."

Williamson, the No. 1 total choose of the 2019 draft, was supposed to come to the Pelicans to adjust the organization for the greater. Nonetheless, injuries hampered his vocation early. He stated he needed to prove he is a "winner" and needed to do it with his teammates in New Orleans.

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FILE - New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson watches a shoot-all over ahead of Activity 6 of the team's NBA basketball to start with-spherical playoff sequence towards the Phoenix Suns, April 29, 2022, in New Orleans.  (G3 Box News Photograph/Gerald Herbert, File)

"I want to show that I’m a winner. Easy as that. I want to gain with mentor. I want to acquire with my teammates. The ultimate aim is to win a championship," he stated. "I come to feel like that is what we’re all striving for. Like [Pelicans GM David Griffin] claimed, we’re hungry. Y’all noticed this past 12 months what the staff did. I’m just energized to insert to that."

He thanked the Pelicans organization for sticking with him and believing in him.

"Thank y’all for actually sticking with me the earlier yr. It was a tricky 12 months, and then for the Pelicans to appear give this birthday reward, I'm not going to enable ‘em down. I’m not likely to enable the metropolis down, I'm not going to permit my loved ones down, and most of all, I'm not heading to permit myself down," he stated.

Williamson has only performed in 85 games in a few seasons, but when he was healthful, he proved just what he can carry to the table. He was an All-Star in his 2nd period averaging 27 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Seemingly healthier, Williamson could be a substantial component in the growth of the younger Pelicans moving forward.

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball downn courtroom in the course of the fourth quarter of an NBA activity versus the Golden Condition Warriors at Smoothie King Center on Could 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Sean Gardner/Getty Illustrations or photos)

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New Orleans made the playoffs immediately after having the eighth seed in the play-in event. Even though the group dropped to the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans took two game titles from them. When incorporating Williamson to a staff with C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and Herb Jones, the crew may possibly be competing for one thing increased than a sixth seed.

The G3 Box News contributed to this report.