Zion Williamson will almost certainly start his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, and there’s an outside chance that Anthony Davis — who is entering the final year of his contract — will still be there.
At the very least, Williamson can thank Davis for making a lasting influence on how he carries himself off the court.
During his time at Duke, Williamson made a point to spend extended time signing autographs. It was something that he discussed in high school. And in a video re-shared by the New York Post, Williamson credited an autograph snub by Davis for making him want to sign “every kid’s autograph.”
Williamson said:
“When I was little, I looked up to high school players, and I would want their autograph. And sometimes I couldn’t get it, and I’d just be hurt. I said when I grew up, I don’t want to be like that. I want to be able to sign every kid’s autograph — no matter how long it takes me …
“I try to sign every kid’s autograph because I don’t want to turn a little kid down because I know it’ll hurt them. It hurt me. Anthony Davis, John Wall turned me down, so I try to sign everybody’s.”
Davis may be able to make that up to him if they end up being teammates, though.
