Gallery: NOLA, Pelicans welcome Zion Williamson to Crescent City

Power Forward Zion Williamson is introduced by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, general manager David Griffin, and head coach Alvin Gentry at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Gallery: NOLA, Pelicans welcome Zion Williamson to Crescent City

by Matthew Hinton | June 24, 2019

Power Forward Zion Williamson was introduced Friday by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, general manager David Griffin, and head coach Alvin Gentry at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie on the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft.

Williamson, who played for Duke, is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers.

Power Forward Zion Williamson is introduced by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Power Forward Zion Williamson is introduced by head coach Alvin Gentry at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Alvin Gentry pretends to throw the jersey of power forward Zion Williamson into a crowd of reporters after he was introduced by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and general manager David Griffin at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

A sign welcomes New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson after he was selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft Thursday. Photo taken at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

A Cane’s sign welcomes New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson after he was selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft Thursday. Photo taken in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Power Forward Zion Williamson is hugged by center Jahlil Okafor, who also played at Duke, next to Swin Cash, a retired WNBA star and Vice President of Basketball Operations / Team Development before Williamson was introduced by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, general manager David Griffin, and head coach Alvin Gentry at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

‘Zion’ Street at St. Charles Ave. is seen honoring New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson after he was selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft Thursday as a street car passes by Friday. The street is normally named Union Street seen here in New Orleans, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Outfit styled by Ill Will Vintage. Photo: Ian Jones

Power Forward Zion Williamson is introduced by general manager David Griffin at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Outfit styled by Highway Robbery Vintage. Photo: Ian Jones

Outfit styled by Highway Robbery Vintage. Photo: Pat Hogan

Outfit styled by Haus of Vain. Photo: Ian Jones

Power Forward Zion Williamson is introduced at the New Orleans Pelicans training facility in Metairie, Louisiana Friday June 21, 2019 the first day of summer after being selected the first overall pick of the NBA Draft yesterday. Williamson who played for Duke is considered one of the most promising draft picks in years and will now carry the hopes of the franchise after the departure of Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Outfit styled by Monarch Vintage. Photo: Ian Jones

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Matthew Hinton

Matthew Hinton is a New Orleans area freelance photographer whose work has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Best of Photojournalism Awards in 2014 and 2016, and by numerous awards from the Press Club of New Orleans, including the Hal Ledet President's Print Photography Award, the highest honor the Press Club can bestow upon a photographer.
Matthew Hinton has previously been a staff photographer at both of the daily newspapers in New Orleans. His work has appeared nationally and internationally through freelance work with the Associated Press and AFP, Agence France-Presse.

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