Williamson can be seen on billboards all across New Orleans as he becomes the face of the PelicansNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Pelicans rookie F Zion Williamson is "breathing some basketball life into a city that was in desperate need of it after going through some rough times just six months ago," according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com. Williamson "instantly became the face of the franchise with the potential to someday become the face of the entire NBA." His face is "plastered on billboards all across" New Orleans the "same way his jaw-dropping dunks are plastered all over SportsCenter." There have also been "over 12,000 season tickets sold for Pelicans games this season." Williamson is the "reason the media parking lot for media day was full" yesterday, a "rarity for the Pelicans." He is also the "reason the Smoothie King Center will be full on Saturday when the team holds its first public practice" (NOLA.com, 9/30). THE ATHLETIC's Joe Vardon notes Williamson yesterday "oozed star potential." He is the "story for the Pelicans" this season and beyond (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/1).
