There are vivid memories of every Carolina-Duke basketball game that I got to cover during my career, but none more clear than the evening of February 20, 2019.

The best and biggest rivalry in sports had somehow gotten even bigger that evening, as President Obama sat courtside to watch two Final Four contenders led by soon-to-be NBA Draft picks.

One of the loudest arenas in the world fell silent as Zion Williamson lay on the floor, his left foot poking through what was left of his giant Nike basketball shoe.

Not only was I suddenly thrust into a story that would dominate ESPN for weeks, but I needed to find a way to tell a fresh, compelling story that hadn’t already been rehashed numerous times.

I chose to wait two weeks, until Zion’s return at the ACC Tournament, to pursue a different angle on the story.

If one faulty shoe could potentially alter a phenom’s career, how much thought was being put into what players wear?

I’m proud that this story went on to win First Place for Enterprise Reporting in the 2019 NCPA Editorial and Advertising Awards.

You can read the full story here.