By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zion Williamson’s rehabilitation will take place away from the New Orleans Pelicans, the club announced. He will still be supervised by the staff of the team.
Williamson was operated on during the offseason to repair a fractured foot and he has yet to completely recover and be in the right shape for his return to courts. There was optimism back in September that he would be ready to go for the season’s launch, but his comeback has been delayed more and more.
He has played in just 85 games (plus the 2021 All-Star game) since the Pelicans drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
“I know there’s work to be done in my recovery before I can safely return to the court, but I will continue to put in the time necessary so I can get back on the floor with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the highest level,” Williamson said in a statement.
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson will be continuing his rehabilitation away from the team at this time while remaining under the supervision of the Pelicans medical staff.
“Since we notified everyone on December 16 of his latest imaging, it was decided then by our medical team to dial his rehab back to only partial weight bearing activities. He continues along that path,” stated Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “We also agreed that in order to put Zion in the best position to succeed, he will rehab away from the team at this time so he can focus on the task at hand.”
“As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult process for me,” said Williamson. “I know there’s work to be done in my recovery before I can safely return to the court, but I will continue to put in the time necessary so I can get back on the floor with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the highest level. Basketball means everything to me, and I am thankful for the Pelicans organization and everyone who has surrounded me with love and support throughout this journey – my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and everybody who has stood behind me and uplifted me when I needed it most.”