The New Orleans Pelicans’ preseason trip overseas produced more than just wins on the court, it delivered one of the most touching moments of Zion Williamson’s career. After a dominant showing in an exhibition game against an Australian NBL team, Williamson spotted a young Pelicans fan in the crowd who had recently beaten cancer.
The 25‑year‑old star forward then walked over, unlaced his game‑worn sneakers, and handed them to the boy. On the shoes, Williamson had written a simple but powerful message:
“My Hero.”
Zion signed his shoes for a young Aussie boy fighting cancer 🥹 pic.twitter.com/RfdZEqYzjn
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) October 5, 2025
The gesture comes at a time when Williamson is entering the season in the best shape of his career. After years of setbacks, he arrived at Pelicans media day noticeably leaner and more focused, sparking optimism that this could finally be the year he plays a full season.
For Pelicans fans, the combination of a healthy Zion and his off‑court leadership is reason to believe the team could emerge as a dark horse in the Western Conference.
