Zion Williamson Stats: Rookie Records Put Pelicans Star Among Greatest First-Year NBA Players Ever

Zion Williamson has been worth the wait. After missing the first half of the 2019-2020 NBA season with a knee injury, Williamson has played like one of the best rookies the league has ever seen.

In a 138-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, Williamson had the best game of his brief career. He led all players with 31 points, shooting 10-17 from the field and 11-14 from the free-throw line. The 19-year-old added nine rebounds, five assists and a steal in 28 minutes.

Williamson became the first rookie since the ABA-NBA merger to have at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in fewer than 30 minutes. No rookie had posted a 31-9-5 stat line since 1992.

The New Orleans Pelicans star is averaging 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He continues to put up numbers that few, if any, rookies have ever posted.

Williamson is the first rookie in 28 years to score at least 14 points in each of his first nine games. He’s the first player to record seven 20-point games over his first nine games.

If Williamson played enough games to qualify among the league leaders, his 57.6% field-goal shooting would be good for 11th in the NBA. He’s made at least seven field goals and shot no worse than 53.8% in eight of his nine games.

Of the 123 players that attempt at least 10 shots per game, Williamson ranks 14th with a 61.5 true shooting percentage. His 59.2 effective field goal percentage is seventh in that group.

The former Duke standout is proving that he can score in the NBA almost as easily as he did in college. He’s been unstoppable near the basket, even against much older players. Williamson is making 91% of his shot attempts inside the paint, giving him the best percentage of any player 6’6 or shorter this season.

Only the Milwaukee Bucks’ No.1 ranked defense has held Williamson below 50% shooting from the field. Going up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, Williamson went 5-19, though he still managed to score 20 points.

New Orleans is 5-4 with Williamson in the lineup. The Pelicans are 23-31 on the season, trailing the Memphis Grizzlies by 4.5 games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.