New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson after signing extension - Want to prove I'm a winner

NEW ORLEANS — What a difference a year makes.

Last year on July 6, his 21st birthday, Zion Williamson found out that he had suffered a broken right foot, an injury that ended up costing him the 2021-22 season. This year on July 6, his 22nd birthday, the New Orleans Pelicans' forward put ink to paper and signed his five-year designated rookie max extension that could be worth up to $231 million.

Asked where this birthday ranks, Williamson smiled and patted Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin on the shoulder. «Number one,» he said.

Williamson signed the extension in front of roughly 80 kids participating in his six-week-long summer camp at a local YMCA. Williamson sat down at a table with his parents Lee and Sharonda Anderson sitting next to him and little brother Noah — who is attending the camp — standing to his right. A majority of the kids from the camp surrounded the table as Williamson signed the deal. As he put the cap on the pen, Williamson looked up and said, «I'm locked in, baby.»

Williamson's deal is worth $193 million over five years and could jump to $231 million if he hits the escalator clauses in the deal by making an All-NBA team next season. Griffin said during the news conference that followed the signing that Williamson's deal does not include a player option on the end of it. When Brandon Ingram signed his five-year deal with New Orleans following the 2019-20 season, he also signed a five-year deal with no option.

«Zion wanted to make that same level of commitment to this organization,» Griffin said. «He wasn't looking for a way out. He was looking for a way to stay. His family was looking for a way to be more involved with the community and you see this here today.