Over the past week, the city of New Orleans was struck by tragedy when a terror attack struck in the wee hours of New Years day. In the wake of the horrifying tragedy, the New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has stepped up to help his community heal. The terror attack, where a pickup truck rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, left 14 dead and over 35 injured.
In response, Zion Williamson has announced a $100,000 donation to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Tragedy Fund, a gesture of solidarity for the grieving city. The emotional weight of the tragedy resonated deeply with Williamson, who has been an integral part of the New Orleans community since being drafted in 2019. He spoke about this decision with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
As a father, son, and someone who loves the community, this hit me hard. This isn’t just about money – but standing together and making sure no one feels alone.
Zion Williamson via ESPN
Since being drafted as a generationally talented teenage prospect right out of Duke, Williamson has spent almost his entire professional career so far in New Orleans. Obviously, given his deep connections within the city, the attack must have taken a toll on the star. This isn’t just a one off incident from Zion Williamson helping out the community.
In the wake of the deadly attack on Bourbon street earlier this week, Pelicans star Zion Williamson is donating $100,000 to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Tragedy fund, telling ESPN: “As a father, son and someone who loves the community, this hit me hard. This isn’t just…
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 3, 2025
The Pelicans star has often been involved with the community as was evident in 2023. He donated $250,000 to assist students in Jefferson Parish with uniform costs after school consolidations. Although he has been unable to help out the Pelicans on the court, his contributions in New Orleans have been significant.
When will Zion Williamson return from injury?
While Zion Williamson’s philanthropic efforts shine, his on-court presence remains sorely missed. The Pelicans have struggled in his absence, as Williamson hasn’t played since November 6 due to a left hamstring strain. This injury has limited him to just six games this season, a blow for a team struggling to keep their stars healthy.
The Pelicans initially classified Williamson’s injury as day-to-day. However, it soon became clear that the strain was more serious than anticipated. A recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks stretched beyond seven weeks, fueling speculation about his long-term health and the team’s plans for him.
Pelicans’ head coach Willie Green recently provided an optimistic update, confirming that the star player has been cleared for contact and has returned to practice. This development suggests his return to game action could be imminent.
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