Zion Williamson Sparks Frenzy Hinting He Regrets Leaving Duke Blue Devils Early and Still Has ‘Unfinished Business’ There

In a stunning revelation sending shockwaves through the college basketball world, NBA superstar Zion Williamson has finally cracked open the door on a topic that has haunted Duke Blue Devils fans for years—his early departure from Durham after just one season. Appearing on Kevin Durant’s widely followed “Boardroom” podcast, Zion casually dropped a line that has set social media ablaze and reignited the never-ending conversation about his brief but electric stint with the Duke Blue Devils.

For many fans, Zion Williamson remains one of the most iconic, yet bittersweet, figures in Duke basketball history. His arrival in 2018 brought with it an unprecedented level of hype, and he lived up to every ounce of it. From gravity-defying dunks to thunderous blocks, Zion took college basketball by storm, becoming a viral sensation and the face of the sport. However, his journey with Duke lasted only one season before he declared for the NBA Draft and was selected No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019.

Fast forward to 2025, and Zion’s recent remarks suggest there may be more lingering on his mind about that short-lived college chapter than anyone realized. During his candid conversation with Durant, Zion reflected on his time at Duke, his NBA journey, and the “what-ifs” that have accompanied him over the years. But it was one specific comment that has everyone talking.

“Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve stayed another year,” Zion admitted with a reflective grin. “There’s some unfinished business back at Duke, for sure.”

The moment those words left his mouth, basketball Twitter exploded, with Duke loyalists, NBA fans, and media personalities dissecting every syllable. While Zion didn’t explicitly say he regrets his decision, the implication of “unfinished business” has reignited debate about whether leaving after one season was the right call—not just for Zion, but for the Blue Devils as well.

Zion’s lone season at Duke was historic but ultimately ended in heartbreak. Despite being the consensus No. 1 team in the nation for much of the 2018-2019 campaign, the Blue Devils fell short of their championship aspirations. Led by Zion, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones, that squad boasted one of the most talented rosters in NCAA history. But in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Duke was narrowly upset by Michigan State, a crushing 68-67 defeat that sent Zion’s college career to an abrupt close.

For many, that loss felt like an opportunity squandered—especially considering Duke’s sheer star power that season. Zion himself was sidelined for several games with a now-infamous sneaker blowout injury, and while he returned for the postseason, Duke never seemed to fully regain their early-season dominance.

The “what-if” scenarios have loomed ever since. What if Zion had returned for his sophomore season? What if the Blue Devils had one more year to build chemistry and chase a national title? What if that iconic group stayed intact for just one more run?

Those questions seemed buried under the weight of Zion’s professional career—until now.

Hearing Zion himself admit to contemplating another year in college has cracked open that emotional vault for fans. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from one of basketball’s most explosive, yet often private, figures. And it shines a light on a deeper truth: for all the fame, fortune, and highlight reels the NBA has brought Zion, there’s still a piece of his basketball soul tethered to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, reactions have been passionate and divided.

Some fans see Zion’s comments as evidence of regret, a subtle acknowledgment that the jump to the NBA, while financially life-changing, came at the cost of unfinished collegiate glory. Others believe it’s simply nostalgia speaking—a common sentiment among athletes reflecting on their formative years.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, who served as an assistant under Coach K during Zion’s year, weighed in on the viral moment during a media scrum.

“Zion’s a Blue Devil for life, no matter how many years he played here,” Scheyer remarked. “He gave us everything he had, and that season is still one of the most special in Duke history. It’s natural to wonder ‘what if,’ but we couldn’t be prouder of what he’s accomplished.”

Current Duke players have also chimed in, with some expressing admiration for Zion’s honesty and others using it as motivation. Sophomore forward Liam Porter, a rising star in his own right, tweeted, “Zion’s got unfinished business? We’ll handle that for him.”

The idea of “unfinished business” also resonates beyond Zion’s personal reflections—it taps into the larger narrative of college athletes navigating the increasingly complex decision to go pro early. With NIL deals, transfer portals, and evolving league rules, players now face a tangled web of factors when considering their futures.

For Zion, the decision to leave was practically predetermined. His dominance, coupled with jaw-dropping athleticism, made him a lock for the No. 1 pick, and financial security was all but guaranteed. But in hindsight, his NBA journey has been anything but smooth.

Persistent injuries have limited Zion’s availability and stunted the Pelicans’ progress. Flashes of brilliance have been overshadowed by time on the sidelines, leading some to wonder whether an additional year at Duke could have better prepared him physically or mentally for the pro grind.

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20. The lure of the NBA, the chance to secure generational wealth, and the risk of injury in unpaid college play make staying another year a complicated gamble. Zion’s comments, while striking, don’t necessarily rewrite history—but they do offer a rare glimpse into the human side of a superstar often reduced to headlines and highlight reels.

They also reignite the Duke fandom’s eternal optimism. Some even joked online about Zion returning as a graduate transfer or suiting up for the annual Blue-White scrimmage—a fantasy scenario, but proof of how deeply Duke supporters still feel connected to him.

For Zion Williamson, the road ahead remains firmly rooted in the NBA. The former No. 1 pick continues to chase success at the highest level, and his focus is undoubtedly on leading the Pelicans to contention. But his recent words reveal a deeper layer to his journey—a quiet yearning for the college experience that ended too soon and the elusive title that got away.

In the world of sports, “unfinished business” is a phrase often thrown around to hype up comebacks, second chances, and redemption arcs. But for Zion, it feels more personal—a reflective nod to the past and a subtle acknowledgment that even the most talented athletes carry moments of doubt, longing, and “what if.”

As Duke fans replay his words, dissect his tone, and dream of alternate timelines, one thing remains clear: Zion Williamson’s legacy in Durham is far from forgotten. And in his own heart, it seems, that chapter isn’t entirely closed either.