Zion Mania Jumps The Pond

Didn’t see this coming: Zion mania has reached Great Britain.

The Daily Express of London has this piece up and in classic British fashion - nothing personal, we love the UK, but the British press habitually mangles stories about college basketball in the US - gets it somewhat wrong.

They quote Zion OMG Williamson as saying this as NBA stars, like everyone else, marvel:

“Why they talking about me? I’m in college!

“I guess it’s dope. Those are two of the best players in the league. I’m hoping to be there competing against them next year.

“I mean it’s definitely an honour to hear [LeBron James] thinks I’m a decent player.

“At the same time, hopefully I’ll be competing against him next year, so I can’t really be too star struck.

“Because at the same time, if I’m competing against him, I’m trying to win.”

The Express characterized this as a warning, which it’s clearly not. It’s an earnest statement of respect and a declaration of effort.

As we say though the Brits periodically get things muddled when it comes to college basketball. A couple of years ago someone wrote about “the University of Duke.” Maybe Williamson will finally put it on the map.

Don’t think we’re picking on them though. Almost no American sportswriters could cover soccer (er, football) correctly, much less cricket, and it’s just amazing that they’re writing about a college player at all.