Zion Williamson: Nike open investigation after college basketball sensation dubbed 'the new LeBron' injured as shoe blows out

Williamson is one of the most highly-coveted college players in years, but now faces an uncertain future and may not play again before the draft

Williamson's Nike shoe blew out, with the sole separating completely from the upper (USA TODAY Sports)

Nike have opened an investigation after college basketball sensation Zion Williamson, who is set to be the first overal draft pick in this year's NBA draft, was knocked out of the North Carolina-Duke rivalry game with a knee sprain after his Nike shoe blew out in the first minute of the game.

While describing the sprain as mild and the knee as stable, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said he doesn't know how much time Williamson will miss.

Williamson grabbed his right knee in pain after slipping awkwardly and falling when his left shoe fell apart as he planted hard while dribbling near the free throw line.

The blue rubber sole ripped loose from the white shoe from the heel to the toes along the outside edge, with Williamson's foot coming all the way through the large gap.

Nike said in a statement that it was "concerned" and wished Williamson a speedy recovery. It said it was "working to identify the issue."

Williamson, the ACC's second-leading scorer at 22.4 points per game and arguably the most exciting player in college basketball, walked off with a slight limp but under his own power before heading back to the locker room with no shoes on his feet.

There is a fear that the wonderkid might turn his back on the rest of his college career in order to avoid the risk of injury and prepare for the NBA draft, in which he will almost certainly be picked first.

Duke is four years into a 12-year deal with Nike as the exclusive supplier of uniforms, shoes and apparel. The private school didn't disclose terms of the 2015 contract extension.

Nike has had an exclusive deal with the university since 1992.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press