LeBron watches as R.J., Zion and Duke hand Virginia second loss

By ADAM ZAGORIA

LeBron James sat courtside along with several other current and former NBA stars to watch Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Duke play at Virginia on Saturday.

Rajon Rondo and Grant Hill were also among those on hand as Barrett went for 26 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists and Williamson had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists as No. 2 Duke handed No. 3 Virginia its second loss of the season, 81-71. Duke made 13-of-21 (62 percent) from deep, with Barrett going 6-of-10.

Duke’s win came on the same day the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee projected the Blue Devils the No. 1 overall seed in the Big Dance.

LeBron bout to take one look at Zion and “reinjure” his groin for the rest of the season pic.twitter.com/ME28VFeJwq

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) February 9, 2019

LeBron James y Rajon Rondo viendo a Zion Williamson en el Duke-Virginia. pic.twitter.com/C2Bd9Gu9el

— ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (@tirolibreNBA) February 9, 2019

The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson is the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and has helped trigger the “Zion Effect,” where Duke home and road tickets are selling at an all-time high.

The Knicks (10-44) currently own the NBA’s worst record and Knicks fans are dreaming of adding Zion, potentially along with free agents like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Go ahead and dream #Knicks fans. When you’re 10-44 you have to dream about something. (Via ⁦@tankathon⁩ ) pic.twitter.com/I62WroYR28

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 10, 2019

The 6-7 Barrett is the projected No. 2 pick.

Duke could be the second team in 50 years to have three-Top 10 picks in Williamson, Barrett and Cam Reddish, who went for 17 points and 3 assists.

“We love road games. This is why we wear black because it’s their funeral.” https://t.co/18coZPGGLk

— David Aldridge (@davidmaldridge) February 10, 2019

Duke now plays three of its next five against ranked opponents.

After an impressive win over UVA in which they made 13 3’s ⁦@DukeMBB⁩ plays 3 of it’s next 5 against ranked opponents. Should be an interesting stretch. pic.twitter.com/cAR6D2pn0m

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 10, 2019

 

Photo: Duke

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And Like ZAGS on Facebook