Nike Probing Shoe Failure That Led To Zion Williamson Injury

Nike says it's investigating why a Duke basketball star's shoe split apart in the opening moments of Wednesday's game against rival UNC.

Wednesday night's matchup between Duke and Carolina continued their storied rivalry, with no less than former President Barack Obama among the celebrities in the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

And Zion Williamson was one of the main players they came to see. Many believe Duke's star freshman could be the NBA's number one draft pick.

But on Duke's first possession, Williamson sprained his knee when he planted his foot hard and his shoe split apart.

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.

He fell to the ground in pain and never returned for the Blue Devils.

It's uncertain how long he'll be out.

Nike called the shoe split an isolated occurrence but says it's investigating how it happened.

The morning after the game saw Nike shares slip by about one percent.

UNC won 88 to 72, led by senior Luke Maye.