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Zion: 'I kind of hate being classified as a dunker'

Lance King / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Duke freshman Zion Williamson became a viral sensation for his jaw-dropping dunks before he even left high school.

But Williamson wants to be known for much more than that.

"I kind of hate being classified as a dunker," he said, according to ESPN's David M. Hale. "Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) wouldn't have recruited me if I was just a dunker. But I guess people on the outside don't understand that. I can't play to impress other people."

Williamson's all-around game was on display in Tuesday's win over Wake Forest. He notched a career-high 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting - including three made 3-pointers - and added 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block. Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons is the only other Division I freshman in history to post a 30-10-5-4 line.

Krzyzewski believes there's room for Williamson to grow and is more than impressed with what he's already seen.

"I have confidence in him doing everything," Krzyzewski said. "If I don't, there's something wrong with me. He's a complete player."

Through 14 games this season, Williamson's averaging 20.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks.

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