Duke Basketball: Zion Williamson’s return to Blue Devils is great for college hoops

After Duke basketball’s loss against North Carolina, head coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters that he expects Zion Williamson back for the ACC Tournament.

The Duke Blue Devils have been without Zion Williamson–the best college basketball player of this decade–for six games now. During that stretch, their offense has frequently fallen stagnant and the defense lacks the edge and fright it boasted with Williamson on the floor. The Herculean forward is a transcendent presence on both ends of the floor. His vertical is staggering, and his body is downright horrifying. Admit it, you’ve missed Zion and his boundless amazement.

But, he’s back – reportedly! – and I couldn’t be happier, even as a lifelong Kentucky fan who knows an Elite 8 matchup with Duke is predestined. Since Zion obliterated his Nikes at the start of the first Duke/UNC game, basketball know-it-alls (dorky media members, former players, and twitter nobodies) advised Zion to sit out for the rest of the season because it would be “best for him.” Us loyal college basketball patriots have been repeatedly bashed, being told our sport’s premier player should pack his bags for the NBA.

The college basketball “system” is broken, so I’ve read. It has a “tinge of slavery” apparently. I must be misinformed if that’s the case–because I believe college basketball players have their schooling paid for (not cheap) and are provided a place to stay on campus and living expenses by the university they attend. I’d take that deal. How about you, Utivich? You make that deal?

The slavery and “these players are not fairly compensated” comments are far out of line for 95% of the athletes anyways, but I’m here to talk about Zion, who’s definitely a one-percenter. Following another loss to North Carolina, Coach K announced that Zion should be back for the ACC tournament. I’m sure NBA twitter will erupt with confusion about why in God’s green Earth Zion would agree to continue collegiate enslavement in the wake of a minor knee injury.

Zion should do what HE wants to do. And what’s best for him is whatever he decides. Guess what? My man chose to play. Zion loves playing basketball, clearly. And guess what? maybe he wants to play with his buddies. R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish aren’t contractually obligated to play for Duke (or maybe they are @FBI Scandal), like 32-year-old grumpy NBA veterans. These dudes chose to play together at Duke. This is college. It’s supposed to be fun. Ask current NBA stars what their favorite basketball memory is. For guys like DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, it was their one year in college.

Hey, maybe Zion is a 19-year-old who loves playing basketball with his friends! Doesn’t everybody play a thousand hours of pickup when they’re freshmen in college? The next nine games are the last nine of his amateur basketball career. This is his last chance to be a kid. Block out the noise, Zion, and play basketball.

“But, but he could get injured” the media cries. Yeah? So what? There is no injury that would prevent Zion from being the number one pick in the Draft. I’m telling you, he is a lock to go number one, even with two torn ACL’s. This behemoth is that much better than the rest of the pack.

So, he’s not risking money, he loves playing with his friends, and the man wants to win a national championship. Am I missing something? Of course he should play! He’s a fierce competitor with a great attitude and copious basketball acumen. His return will be an unequivocal plus for the college basketball world, even if he dunks all over your alma mater.