Duke investigation clears Zion Williamson, accuser doubles down

Claims Coach K pays players

Duke's closed its internal investigation of alleged special benefits given to Zion Williamson prior to and during his one season with the Blue Devils.

In a message to the Raleigh News & Observer, a school spokesperson said, "We conducted a thorough and objective investigation which was directed by individuals outside the athletics department. We found no evidence to support any allegation. Zion thrived as both a student and an athlete at Duke, and always conducted himself with integrity and purpose."

Williamson's accuser, controversial attorney Michael Avenatti, doubled down on his accusations, telling the paper, "I never heard from anyone associated with Duke in connection with my allegations or any investigation. I was never asked a single question. I was never asked what information or documents that I was aware of. Who the hell conducted this investigation? Inspector Clouseau? The documents and the hard evidence do not lie. Zion Williamson was paid to attend Duke. Coach K has made and facilitated payments to players for years. And when the truth comes out -- and eventually it will -- Coach K and Duke’s reputation will be forever and rightfully tarnished. And if what I am saying is untrue, I challenge Coach K and Duke University to file a defamation lawsuit against me tomorrow and we can let the chips fall where they may."

Avenatti had previously  claimed that Nike paid Williamson's mother for "bogus consulting services" to steer her son to a Nike school. He was charged with extortion for allegedly demanding $25 million from Nike before he went public with the charges.