It was only seconds into the Duke-UNC matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday that Blue Devils star Zion Williamson was headed to the locker room for the rest of the game in what was a weird injury to say the least.
Williamson suffered a mild knee strain after literally bursting through his Nike PG 2.5 PE sneaker on his left foot. The accident forced the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson to fall awkwardly on the hardwood, and sent him limping into the tunnel.
The fact that Williamson actually went through his shoe caused an uproar on Twitter. Here's what it looked like...
The Nike PG 2.5 that Zion ripped through 😳 pic.twitter.com/HG2N9LQq3F
- Aaron Dodson (@aardodson) February 21, 2019
And here are just some of the reactions of those that watched:
Williamson is arguably the best player in the NCAA, and Lakers star LeBron James is the same way in the NBA. He shared some love to Williamson...
Hope young fella is ok! Literally blew thru his 👟. 🙏
- LeBron James (@KingJames) February 21, 2019
Former President of the United States Barack Obama was in attendance at Cameron Indoor to witness the heated rivalry, and had some kind words for Williamson as well...
Zion Williamson seems like an outstanding young man as well as an outstanding basketball player. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 21, 2019
Here's the legend Dick Vitale giving his analysis on the situation...
No doubt @DukeMBB not only loss the multi talents of @ZionW32 but it was a deflating emotional blow but give @UNC_Basketball credit for playing efficiently on O & D as LUKE MAYE & CAMERON JOHNSON score 56 btw them & Duke shoots 8-39 from trifecta / thus Tar Heels dominate 88-72
- Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 21, 2019
This injury also caused a few prominent names in basketball to bring up the argument to pay college athletes, including Donovan Mitchell
Again let's remember all the money that went into this game.... and these players get none of it.... and now Zion gets hurt... something has to change @NCAA
- Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 21, 2019
Instead of making a self serving shoe joke I hope @ZionW32 is ok.
- Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) February 21, 2019
THIS FACTS💯 https://t.co/837ueqFteU
- Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 21, 2019
This Zion Williamson injury is exactly why players should be able to go directly to the @nba from high school. The league needs to change this rule. PERIOD @GetUpESPN @espn
- Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) February 21, 2019
This was also a very bad look for Nike itself as it was one of the best players in college basketball wearing their sneaker on national television during the Duke-UNC rivalry.
It's not a material loss to Nike's business, but I wouldn't be completely surprised if Nike's stock, on no other news, didn't do a little dip tomorrow morning from this prominent event.
- Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2019
And here are a couple more wishing Williamson a speedy recovery...
Get Well Soon @ZionNPS
- Carlos Boozer (@MisterCBooz) February 21, 2019
Instead of making a self serving shoe joke I hope @ZionW32 is ok.
- Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) February 21, 2019