Zion's stepfather refutes rumors of possible Duke return

Zion Williamson's stepfather, Lee Anderson, swiftly denied rumors that the consensus top pick in June's draft is considering a return to Duke after the New Orleans Pelicans overcame the odds to win Tuesday's draft lottery.

Anderson made it clear that Williamson is looking favorably toward potentially becoming the new face of the Pelicans.

"We're excited about that. One thing that Zion has always been taught is to accept that things that you can't change, change the things that you can change, and this is one of the things he had nothing to do with," Anderson said on ESPN's "Off the Bench" on Thursday. "It's the process of the NBA. Certainly, we're excited about the Crescent City down there in New Orleans.

"As you said about returning to Duke: There's been a lot of speculation but that is nothing that we have even considered."

Williamson met with the Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies - who own the No. 2 pick - in Chicago prior to the lottery and believes New Orleans would be among the ideal fits to begin his career, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The 18-year-old is arguably the best NBA prospect since Anthony Davis in 2012 and is expected to develop into one of the most impactful two-way players in the Association.

Williamson averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 33 appearances during his lone season with the Blue Devils.