CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Zion Williamson proved he's back and healthy with a dominating three-game show at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
The performance has fifth-ranked Duke celebrating yet another championship.
Williamson had 21 points to help the Blue Devils beat No. 12 Florida State 73-63 on Saturday night in the championship game, giving Duke its 21st tournament title and sending the Blue Devils charging into the NCAA Tournament.
Williamson was named the tournament's MVP, becoming only the sixth freshman to win the award and the first in a dozen years.
He averaged 27 points and 10 rebounds while making 33 of 43 shots in the three games -- his first since suffering a knee sprain that had sidelined him for nearly six full games.
"For people who said I shouldn't return," Williamson said during the trophy presentation, "I couldn't abandon my brothers and coaches like that."
Williamson had broken into a wide grin with about 20 seconds left, and Duke merely waited on the horn to celebrate. That big smile flashed again as he cut down a strand of the net and turned back toward his teammates from the ladder above.
These moments were the reason he came back.
RJ Barrett added 17 points and nine rebounds, and the Blue Devils (29-5) took control after halftime. Point guard Tre Jones had his own strong outing with 18 points and six assists.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski won his record 15th ACC Tournament championship with a team led by potential one-and-done NBA talents.
"I told them last night: 'We've won a lot of championships, but I haven't won one with you,' " Krzyzewski said during the trophy presentation. "So to be in their moment is the very best thing."
For Williamson, everything started with a quarterfinal victory against Syracuse, with Williamson going for 29 points on 13-for-13 shooting in his first game back. Then came an even bigger performance in the semifinals: 31 points, 11 rebounds and the final-minute tip-in that helped Duke hold off third-ranked North Carolina.
He didn't need to do as much this time, with Duke putting four players in double figures and shooting 58 percent after the break to turn a 36-36 tie into a 14-point lead midway through the half.
Mfiondu Kabengele scored 14 points for the Seminoles (27-7).
Sports on 03/17/2019