Duke's outside investigators found no evidence that Nike paid student-athletes, including star Zion Williamson, to attend basketball programs sponsored by the athletic company after the university conducted a five-month investigation into claims made by attorney Michael Avenatti, according to The News & Observer.

The university said there was no proof that Williamson received any payments or benefits that would have made him ineligible to play last season.

“As soon as Duke was made aware of any allegation that might have affected Zion Williamson’s eligibility, we conducted a thorough and objective investigation which was directed by individuals outside the athletics department,” Duke spokesman Michael Schoenfeld wrote to The News & Observer to confirm the investigation has concluded. “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.”

Even though the investigation is over, Avenatti still alleges that Nike not only paid Williamson to attend Duke, but also coach Mike Krzyzewski was aware of the payment. Avenatti released a statement to The News & Observer indicating that he was not contacted to be a part of the investigation. 

“I never heard from anyone associated with Duke in connection with my allegations or any investigation," Avenatti said. "I was never asked a single question. I was never asked what information or documents that I was aware of. Who the h ell 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.”

The investigation started earlier this year when Avenatti's attorneys filed a court motion claiming an employee for Nike approved "under-the-table payments" to top basketball recruits in 2017 while the players were still in high school. 

Avenatti alleges there were offers of $35,000 or more for Williamson that was exposed through "text messages, e-mails and other documents from 2016-17 ... proving that Nike executives had arranged for and concealed payments, often in cash, to amateur basketball players and their families and 'handlers,' " according to ESPN, which cited the motion filed in U.S. District Court in New York.

Williamson was the ACC Player of the Year in his lone season at Duke, where he averaged 22.6 points per game. The Pelicans selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.