CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Zion Williamson proved he’s back and healthy with a dominating three-game show at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. And that has fifth-ranked Duke celebrating yet another championship in its already-record haul.
Williamson had 21 points to help the Blue Devils beat No. 12 Florida State 73-63 on Saturday night in the championship game, giving Duke its 21st tournament title and sending the Blue Devils charging into the NCAA Tournament.
Williamson was named the tournament’s most valuable player, becoming only the sixth freshman to win the award and the first in a dozen years.
He averaged 27 points and 10 rebounds while making 33 of 43 shots in the three games — his first since suffering a knee sprain that had sidelined him for nearly six full games.
“For people who said I shouldn’t return,” Williamson said during the trophy presentation, “I couldn’t abandon my brothers and coaches like that.”
Williamson had broken into a wide grin with about 20 seconds left and Duke merely waiting on the horn to celebrate, then jumped into the air with teammates at the bench. That big smile flashed again as he cut down a strand of the net and turned back toward his teammates from the ladder above.
These moments — not the high-flying dunks or the jaw-dropping baseball-style bounce pass he threw ahead on the break for a second-half score — were the reason he came back.
“We’re freshman and you think you’re going to come in and dominate,” Williamson said. “But for us to actually come this far and win says a lot about how much we want to win.”
Florida State’s Terance Mann said Williamson’s return made a huge difference for Duke inside.
“They had 42 points in the paint,” Mann said. “So his ability to score in the paint and get offensive putbacks changes their game a lot. If they do have a bad shooting day, they can still score down low.”
RJ Barrett added 17 points and nine rebounds and the Blue Devils (29-5) took control after halftime, while point guard Tre Jones had his own strong outing with 18 points and six assists — all part of Duke’s closing act that showed the Blue Devils are ready for what’s ahead.
Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski won his record 15th ACC Tournament championship with a team led by potential one-and-done NBA talents.
“I told them last night: ‘We’ve won a lot of championships but I haven’t won one with you,’” Krzyzewski said during the trophy presentation. “So to be in their moment is the very best thing.”
