Mavs rookie Luka Doncic thinks Zion, Duke will win the NCAA Tournament

Everyone in the sports world is talking about Zion Williamson, the freshman star from Duke who never fails to stuff the stat sheet and light up the court each and every night.

Whether it’s hitting a clutch and-one shot over 7-foot-6-inch Tacko Fall in crunch time, grabbing an offensive rebound surrounded by three or four defenders, or dunking from the free throw line, the human highlight reel always finds ways to create excitement and entertain the crowd.

At 6-foot-7-inches and 285 pounds, he doesn’t give off your typical “college” basketball vibe. To put his size in perspective, he would be the second-heaviest player in the NBA- at 18 years old.

It’s what he can do with that size that makes him the most exciting player this season. His vertical leap of 45-inches puts him in the NBA’s all-time top-10. He also has the agility to elude some of the nation’s best defenders in the paint

No wonder Duke Basketball ticket prices are through the roof this season. The freshman from Spartanburg, S.C. is averaging 22.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while also shooting 68.4 percent from the field.

From his first collegiate game, the Zion hype train left the station as he recorded 28 points, seven rebounds, and two assists on 11-13 shooting against No. 2 Kentucky, all in only 23 minutes.

From his highlight reels, it would be easy to just classify him as a dunker. However, that would be premature, as he shoots 33 percent from beyond the arc and has the court vision of a point guard.

In 31 games played, he’s scored 699 points.

Along with fellow freshman phenoms RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones, Duke is the favorite to cut down the nets in Minneapolis this April. The Blue Devils are even getting some love from Dallas Mavericks’ rookie sensation Luka Doncic.

“They have amazing players,” Doncic said. “I’ll go with them to win.”

Doncic called Williamson a “monster” and “an incredible player.”

Williamson and Duke will return to the hardwood Friday night as they face Virginia Tech in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament and there’s no doubt that the eyes of the nation will be on Duke and Zion.