It’s time for the next chapter of Zion Williamson’s career

Zion Williamson marched past several Michigan State players, half-heartedly gave his congratulations, and roamed off the court, using his Duke jersey as a means to cover up the disappointment on his face.

With Duke’s 68-67 loss to Michigan State, Williamson will miss his chance to compete in the Final Four and further extend a movie-like campaign, a season many have deemed the season of Zion. The next time Williamson plays basketball in front of paying fans, it will almost certainly be as an NBA player. For what team, we still don’t know, and won’t know until the league holds its draft lottery in mid-May.

But Williamson’s lone collegiate season – -the one that always felt like more of a formality ahead of his NBA superstardom — is finally over. Our collective naivety-wrapped excitement for what Williamson could be at basketball’s highest level will soon be replaced by concrete results and all the accouterments that come with superstardom. The criticism, the nit-picking, the hyperbolic credit and blame.

It will take Williamson some getting used to, for sure. After all, he was rarely if ever the problem for Duke even as their season ends in disappointing fashion.

That blame will be laid on fellow freshman and likely NBA lottery pick R.J. Barrett. In the loss to Michigan State, Barrett took Duke’s final three shots, missing two of them and getting fouled on the other with five seconds left. With a chance to tie the game, Barrett missed the first free throw and made the second. Barrett could have intentionally missed the second and given Williamson a chance to elevate and compete for an offensive rebound. Instead, the Spartans drained the clock, and Duke’s season was over.

Despite finishing the game with 24 points and 14 rebounds and dominating the game with his physicality and athleticism, Williamson’s last field goal attempt came with 1:41 remaining.

Williamson managed to float through his freshman season above most players and criticism. Williamson’s on-the-court exploits were celebrated more than any collegiate player in recent memory — perhaps ever. His highlights were exciting and awe-inspiring. He simply looked to be in a different league than everyone else on the court (probably because he should have been). He was blameless because there was simply nothing he could be blamed for. Duke, as talented as they were, made it as far as they did because of Williamson. Whatever team drafts him in June will hope he elevates their team in the same way.

Williamson’s college career was finite and defined. Everyone knew it was a one-year deal, and so we all tried to enjoy it while it lasted and for what it was — only momentarily grabbing pitchforks when his shoe exploded in front of a former president. Even then, it wasn’t his fault. Of course not. Our ire was directed once again at the NCAA and the institution of college sports.

A new institution awaits him, one that does not hide behind amateurism and instead expects more from its millionaire stars. A walk across the stage as the No. 1 pick, a contract, a bloated shoe deal and lofty expectations await Williamson on the other side.

As Williamson’s college career draws to a close, so too does this version of our appreciation for his talent. At the next level, losing two rounds before the championship game won’t be acceptable. Not always, and no matter who misses the free throws at the end.