New Orleans Pelicans choose Zion Williamson first in NBA draft

Los Angeles: The New Orleans Pelicans made Duke standout Zion Williamson the No. 1 selection in the NBA draft. The 2-metre (6ft, 7 ins) Williamson wore a white suit and sat with his mother as he heard his name called at New York’s Barclays Centre.

“I didn’t think I would be in this position,” Williamson said. “I wouldn’t be here without my mum. I just want to thank her. She put her dreams aside for mine.”

Williamson beat out Murray State’s Ja Morant as the top overall pick. Guard Morant went second to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The New York Knicks made Canadian forward RJ Barrett the third pick.