Duke's Williamson ruled out vs Syracuse with knee sprain
- Feb. 23, 2019 12:01 PM EST
Zion Williamson (1) de Duke queda en el piso tras lesionarse en una jugada ante Luke Maye de North Carolina en el básquetbol universitario en Durham, Carolina del Norte, el miércoles 20 de febrero de 2019. (AP Foto/Gerry Broome)
Zion Williamson (1) de Duke queda en el piso tras lesionarse en una jugada ante Luke Maye de North Carolina en el básquetbol universitario en Durham, Carolina del Norte, el miércoles 20 de febrero de 2019. (AP Foto/Gerry Broome)
Duke's Zion Williamson (1) is attended to on the bench following an injury during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Duke's Zion Williamson sits on the floor following an injury during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina, in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Duke might have to figure out what the Zion Show will look like without its namesake. All because of a freak injury to arguably the most exciting player in college basketball. As his Nike shoe blew out, Williamson sprained his right knee on the first possession of what became top-ranked Duke's 88-72 loss to No. 8 North Carolina. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
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DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke says freshman star Zion Williamson won't play against Syracuse because of a mild knee sprain sustained earlier in the week.

Team spokesman Mike DeGeorge disclosed Williamson's status on Saturday, about 7 hours before the top-ranked Blue Devils (23-2, 11-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) visit Syracuse (18-8, 9-4).

The 280-pound Williamson sprained his knee in the opening minute of Duke's loss to No. 8 North Carolina on Wednesday night. He was injured when he planted his foot while dribbling and his shoe tore apart.

The top contender for national player of the year honors ranks second in the league in scoring at 21.6 points per game. Williamson also ranks among the league leaders in rebounding, shooting percentage and steals.

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