Zion Williamson is used to getting snubbed by Anthony Davis.
Williamson, in a documentary made in 2016 in which he extols the importance of signing autographs, revealed he was once turned down by Davis — a rejection that made an impact on his life.
Williamson, who will be headed to New Orleans after the Pelicans won Tuesday’s lottery, could become teammates with Davis, though it is likelier the disgruntled Anthony is traded, possibly to the Knicks.
Williamson was 16 years old at Spartanburg (S.C.) Day School when the documentary on his high school exploits was filmed by Home Team Hoops.
The video shows clips of Williamson giving out his signature to his young fans in South Carolina before he became a national phenomenon.
“When I was little, I looked up to high school players and wanted their autographs and sometimes I couldn’t get it, I’d be hurt,” Williamson says on camera. “I said when I grew up, I don’t want to be like that. I want to sign every kid’s autograph. No matter how long it takes me.
“I try to sign every kid’s autograph. I don’t want to turn a little kid down because I know it will hurt them because it hurt me. Anthony Davis, John Wall turned me down. So I try to sign everybody’s.”
Since the lottery, Davis reportedly has not rescinded his trade demand. After the lottery, other than an awkward interview on the ESPN telecast Tuesday night in which he wouldn’t confirm New Orleans as his new home, Williamson has not spoken to the media. He bolted the studio before reporters could get to him. Wednesday morning Williamson left Chicago, blowing off the draft combine and its press conferences.
“John Wall, Jaylen Brown, Stanley Johnson, Anthony Davis, I’d always dream of meeting them and see them play in high school but never got that chance,” Williamson says in the film. “I always told myself, if I work hard enough, maybe I can be in that kind of spotlight.”
Williamson was spotted in the Chicago Hilton lobby Tuesday, spending several minutes signing every autograph. Williamson said in the video he signed his first autograph in eighth grade after dropping 40 points in an AAU contest.
In one clip, Williamson is signing dollar bills for kids. Williamson turned to the camera and quipped, “As long as I give it back, I’m good.”
The video is replete with dozens of clips of Williamson dunking in his high school games. Williamson said his first dunk was not until ninth grade, but he executed the full windmill in 10th grade.
Zion added his first time visiting New York came in 2016 at the Under Armour Elite 24 dunk contest that was staged in an outdoor venue under the Brooklyn Bridge. Williamson edged Hamidou Diallo, now of the Thunder.
Diallo, of Queens, won the 2019 NBA All-Star dunk contest, and a 2020 NBA rematch against Williamson could be in store.
The Knicks missed out on the chance to win Williamson on Tuesday, landing the third pick, with Zion’s Duke teammate RJ Barrett being a potential consolation prize. The Pelicans could reunite Williamson and Barrett in a Davis trade.