'She Put Her Dreams Aside for Me.’ No. 1 NBA Draft Pick Zion Williamson Gets Emotional Talking About His Mother
Basketball phenom Zion Williamson was the No. 1 pick at the NBA’s draft on Thursday night and while he was the star of the show, there was one person he wanted to put in the spotlight—his mom.
Williamson, who was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans, shook hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and after flashing his new jersey, walked off stage for his first official ESPN interview as an NBA player. The 18-year old Duke star chatted with ESPN’s Maria Taylor and the interview quickly got emotional.
“You have been waiting for this moment since you were 5,” Taylor said. “How would you describe being the overall No. 1 pick in this draft?”
“I didn’t think I’d be in this position,” he said. “My mom sacrificed a lot for me. I wouldn’t be here without my mom, she did everything for me, I just want to thank her,” he said tearfully, as his mother Sharonda Sampson stood beside him looking proud. Taylor then reminded viewers at home that Sharonda had coached her son until he was 14, just four short years ago. Her son clearly appreciates her efforts, saying, “She put her dreams aside for mine. She always looked out for the family first before herself.”
The interview warmed a lot of hearts as people who watched it quickly took to the internet to share it. Seems that Zion has been an NBA player for less than one day and is already a hit with the fans:
I hope Zion balls out in the NBA, seems like a great and humble person based on the post-pick interview.
On a side note, Sean Payton might want to borrow him to play TE during the NFL playoffs.pic.twitter.com/KwE6DMc6JX— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 20, 2019
Zion really about to make me cry talkin’ about his Mom’s sacrifices pic.twitter.com/ZUZrmxzYPe
— Sully Engels (@SullyKSNT) June 20, 2019
Was that @Zionwilliamson interview one of the best draft day interviews we have ever seen? Good Luck in NOLA kid. #NBADraft #NBA #Zion pic.twitter.com/xIN4kEBkQ1
— LakeShowWorld (@LakeShowWorld) June 20, 2019
Already legendary interview from Zion, that’s a commercial right there
— He won’t E Will 🥶 (@EJ_Will2) June 20, 2019
Omg this Zion interview pic.twitter.com/K0DAmwY9gg
— Joseph Billiot (@jdbillio) June 20, 2019
Zion love his momma... I’m about to cry dammit pic.twitter.com/GlxHWAN46p
— SIXXXXXX RINGSSSSSS 🐐 (@SupaSaiyan24) June 20, 2019
Damn Zion i didnt want to cry tonight
— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) June 20, 2019
When #Zion cries, we all cry. #Draft2019 pic.twitter.com/zBfWVGTt3n
— Kristen Brasher (@KristenBrasher) June 21, 2019
Zion Williamson gets emotional while talking about his mom after getting picked #1 overall in the NBA draft pic.twitter.com/QXBbOmgj8N
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 20, 2019