Mike Krzyzewski: Zion Williamson not in 'playing shape,' should've skipped summer league

Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said former Blue Devils star Zion Williamson should've skipped the NBA summer league.

“I thought really he never should’ve played just because he’s been on this circuit of awards, the ESPYs, everything,” Krzyzewski told Forbes last weekend at the Peach Jam.

Krzyzewski has praised Williamson's ability in the past. He called him one of the most talented athletes he's ever coached — Team USA included —  during the 2018-19 season and a "gift from God" ahead of the NBA draft, where Williamson went No. 1 to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

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Williamson played just nine minutes — scoring 10 points all off dunks — in his NBA summer league debut against the New York Knicks on July 5 but suffered a minor knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the game slate. Pels GM David Griffin said the organization wanted to take "an abundance of caution." 

“I don’t think he’s in the playing shape or the mental shape to play," Krzyzewski added.

Coach K's comments came after ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg criticized Williamson's conditioning and Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock said the 6-7, 285-pound forward was 20 pounds overweight. 

Williamson became one of the most talked-about athletes in college basketball history last year when he led the Blue Devils to an Elite Eight finish alongside fellow All-American R.J. Barrett.