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Video: Zion Williamson Says His Favorite Avengers Character Is Thanos

Megan ArmstrongCorrespondent IIJune 21, 2019

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson celebrates as he is drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 1 overall pick during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Zion Williamson is quickly endearing himself to New Orleans.

At a press conference in New Orleans on Friday, Williamson explained the Avengers-inspired story behind his decision to tell fans "let's dance" immediately after the Pelicans drafted him No. 1 overall in Thursday night's 2019 NBA draft:

NBA TV @NBATV

Zion says his favorite Avengers character is Thanos. 😂 https://t.co/iA4eqDxmiC

Fortunately for Williamson, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin isn't planning to place Thanos-level pressure on him to save the franchise:

NBA TV @NBATV

"He is not the savior of the Pelicans' franchise." - @PelicansNBA Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin on No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson https://t.co/lblBZTH8cJ

Before Williamson addressed the countless Pelicans fans gathered in downtown New Orleans, the 18-year-old Duke product tearfully thanked his mother—his favorite real-life superhero—for all of her sacrifices while talking with ESPN's Maria Taylor: 

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Emotional night for Zion and his family 🙏 (via @NBAonTNT) https://t.co/C5wNRaicib

The Pelicans also reportedly agreed to trade the No. 4 selection to the Atlanta Hawks for picks No. 8, 17 and 35, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, which resulted in Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Marcos Louzada Silva, respectively.