Pell slips the letter back into his folder gingerly, as if it were made of glass. At the time, he competed for the South Carolina Hornets AAU team as well, where he was teammates with Ja Morant. [117] On February 24, he led the Pelicans to a 115101 win over the Golden State Warriors. Before he took the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the Duke Blue Devils or made his NBA debut, Williamson made a mockery of high school competition. First-round winners/losers [1] Following a freshman-year stint with the Duke Blue Devils, Williamson was selected by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. But the surprising part is the paltry sums. One of them was 17-year-old Zion Williamson. For all Duke's strengths, there are glaring weaknesses begging to be exploited if they don't get fixed by March. At each player's respective pace, Clemons (29.2 points per game) should hit 3K on Feb. 21 in Campbell's home game vs. High Point. [147], Williamson is listed at 6ft 6in (1.98m) tall and weighs 284 pounds (129kg). He led New Orleans to an undefeated 30 week with averages of 33.0 points and 8.3 rebounds on 70.4% shooting from the field. [142] On January 26, 2023, Williamson was selected for his second NBA All-Star appearance. For services to education. Is this the best team Tony Bennett has had at UVA? ", "The real story of Ja Morant and Zion Williamson playing on the same AAU team", "Eight area players ready for SCISA North-South All-Star games", "Zion Williamson picks up offer from South Carolina", "Zion Williamson leading NBA Top 100 Camp in scoring", "Zion Williamson Wins the 2016 Elite 24 Dunk Contest", "Slam Dunk: Zion Williamson repeats as Player of the Year", "Jalek Felton, Christian Brown on Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year watch list", "Zion Williamson's newfound fame has grown his social media following substantially", "Zion Williamson Drops 42 & 13 in Season Debut", "Steph Curry Is Impressed By High School Hoops Prospect Zion Williamson And You Should Be, Too", "Five-Star Junior Prospect Zion Williamson Drops 50 Points", "Zion Williamson's Monster 50-Point Performance Steals ToC Show", "Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson has record night in tourney opener", "Newton tops Spartanburg Day; Zion Williamson named MVP", "Zion Williamson's No. "I said, 'Zion you're going to be as good a writer as you are a basketball player if you follow through on this.'". "[158] Williamson, who is left-handed, is almost ambidextrous. : Zion Williamson 'probably the best damn tight end to ever live', "Zion Williamson takes over top spot in 247Sports' 2018 basketball player rankings", "Clemson has become the surprise favorite for 5-star basketball recruit Zion Williamson", "Zion Williamson pledge gives Duke top three players in ESPN 100", "Zion Williamson: 'I will be joining the brotherhood of Duke University', "Duke has the top three basketball recruits in the country. [93] When the regular season concluded, Williamson earned Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the ACC, joining former Duke players Jahlil Okafor and Marvin Bagley III as the only recipients of both awards. This is not a set. [60] His stepfather Lee Anderson remarked that Clemson lost a "mile-and-a-half lead" in recruiting Williamson. As the fast break unfolded, Zion Williamson watched the 6' 4" shooting guard on the team he was facing gather the ball near the free throw line. "There are some things you can shape and do for a child," she says. "The kid can write.". Alex O'Connell is Duke's most accurate 3-point shooter (37 percent), but he only plays 13 minutes per game. "Instead, I will take the lessons you have taught me and apply them to my next chapter.". [10] In March 2015, Williamson took part in the SCISA North-South All-Star Game in Sumter, South Carolina. Williamson was also named ACC Athlete of the Year, becoming the 10th Duke player to win the Award. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at [104] Williamson led all scorers on March 31, with 24 points and 14 rebounds in a season-ending 6867 loss to Michigan State in the Elite 8. 22, giving the New Orleans Pelicans two months to prepare for an important day in regard to the team's future. Morant and Williamson were part of the South Carolina Hornets AAU team in . Duke has traditionally ranked among the best power-conference teams -- if not the best teams overall -- from long range. McMahon called Morant a "basketball genius" and told me his ability to see the floor and improvise plays separates him from the other college point guards. It feels like dude has been 6'8, 285 since birth. And that is the crazy story in all of this, because it was a most incredible kind of accident. Tuesday night's buzzer-beating loss at Northern Illinois was tough, but yes, if Buffalo were to lose only once more between now and Selection Sunday (that's asking a lot, of course), I think it would get a 4 seed. As a miniature marching band plays, a kid wearing a mascot costume that looks like a fuzzy eagle with wings and a tail -- a mythical creature known as a griffin -- shimmies across the auditorium. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | 1 pick? He referenced the one below in particular. [143] However, due to his unavailability, Williamson was replaced by Anthony Edwards. 1 seed. But beyond those breadcrumbs of trivia, Williamson is still something of a cipher -- a hook upon which sports fans can hang their hopes, their reaction gifs, and their predetermined opinions on everything ranging from dunking to amateurism.Editor's PicksNBA draft lottery deep dive: Rankings, Zion odds and intel4yWould trading Zion to build a Knicks superteam be a mistake?4yKevin Pelton1 Related. [69], On January 5, 2019, he had another strong performance versus Clemson, with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and a 360-degree dunk in 22 minutes. [94] He additionally made the ACC All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams. [55] Entering his junior season, he was a consensus five-star recruit and was ranked the number one player in the 2018 class by recruiting service 247Sports. [5][166] By the time he was five years old, his parents divorced, and his mother subsequently married Lee Anderson, a former Clemson college basketball player. Morant wasn't ignored as, all the while, big-name coaches took in Williamson's eye-popping talent. In a freaky coincidence, South Dakota State's Mike Daum and Campbell's Chris Clemons started the season at 2,232 apiece. [44][45] The injury also forced him to miss the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in the following month. In high school, he drew national attention for his slam dunks . Born on 6-7-2000, Zion Williamson was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. With Williamson's Spartanburg Day School facing one of their rivals, an extremely undersized opponent named Bryson Bishop checks in and prepares to guard the future No. [62] He was named to the preseason watch lists for the Karl Malone Award, Naismith Trophy, and John R. Wooden Award. But whether or not the Racers are dancers in 2019, Morant's star quality seems set to grow exponentially from now until the moment his name is called in the NBA Draft. What Happened to Zion Williamson's Old Teammate Chandler Lindsey?? [167] Williamson's deal is the second-largest rookie shoe deal in history, trailing only LeBron James's $90 million rookie deal signed in 2003. ", After the pep rally, Deems sits in her office and reflects on the deluge of attention that flooded the school when Williamson was a student. Here's how he might fit in some possible destinations. Zion Williamson should take notes. Lee Sartor: Coaching Zion Williamson in High School Lee Sartor began coaching club basketball at a young age, and has been coaching at Erskine College for four years now. Yet even as the high school student's profile took off, his life in Spartanburg remained grounded. [81] The performance helped him claim his second ACC Player of the Week and fifth ACC Freshman of the Week accolades. [148][149] Despite his heavy weight for a basketball player, he is known for his speed and leaping ability. In 2021, he became the fourth youngest NBA player to be selected to an All-Star game.[2]. "[84] The incident led to growing calls for Williamson to stop playing basketball at the college level because he had already established himself as the top 2019 NBA draft prospect. "Sometimes you'd have to tell him: 'You just need to take over the game.'". Zion Williamson High School Pos PF Height 6-6 Weight 275 Evaluation Timeline Prospect Info High School Spartanburg Day School City Spartanburg, SC Class 2018 Watch Highlights Player. [80] He had his third 30-point game of the season on February 16, scoring 32 points in a 9478 victory over NC State. | Learn more about Jerome Williamson's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn 1 Duke Past Clemson 8768", "Virginia's Guy, Duke's Williamson recognized", "Duke's Zion Williamson posts all-around gem in rout of Wake Forest", "Duke star Zion Williamson poked in left eye, suffers double vision", "Tyus Battle's 32 Lead Syracuse to Shocking Upset Win over Zion Williamson, Duke", "Duke University Men's Basketball Postgame Notes January 14, 2019 vs. Syracuse", "Williamson Grabs Third ACC Freshman of the Week Honor", "Zion Williamson leaves an impression on Notre Dame", "Duke University Men's Basketball Postgame Notes January 28, 2019 vs. Notre Dame", "Williamson's 29 leads No. [97] He shot 13-of-13 from the field, marking the best shooting performance in school and tournament history, while tying the best in ACC history. Against Pitt on Tuesday night: 7-for-23 from deep. Within a few months, Morant would commit to Murray State, doing so in McMahon's home and surprising the staff and players in the process. Even when Williamson played alongside kids . On the court, Williamson was eager to entertain with 360-degree dunks and tomahawk jams. Kane wanders into the back gym, looking for grub. According to Tee Morant, 13 Division I programs made official courtships for Ja, including Frank Martin's South Carolina Gamecocks. [130], During the off-season, Williamson suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot and underwent a subsequent surgery. While the students occasionally shared their writing for critiques, Williamson didn't love reading his work out loud in front of the class. Kane connected, and within essentially a week's time, McMahon offered Morant a scholarship in the parking lot after a tournament in Greensboro. Trivia. The answer is eight -- but it will soon be 10. Williamson was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. His parents are Lateef Williamson and Sharonda Sampson. Beater. This dynamic produced a paradox: The buzziest prospect in years was, in hindsight, underrated. "It was the first time I sat at a basketball game in four years. Coach Krzyzewski and Zion Williamson had similar experiences during their teenage basketball careers. [138] On December 9, Zion put up a then season-high 35 points, along with seven rebounds, four steals, and one block in a 126117 win against the Phoenix Suns. [41] On February 17, he posted 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals, while scoring his 3,000th career point, versus Spartanburg Christian Academy at the SCISA Region I-2A tournament. The Knicks' acquisition of Zion Williamson's former college team-mate Cam Reddish has reignited speculation over a future move to New York; watch Clippers @ Knicks viewing party on Sunday from 6pm . Has that ever happened? [5][7][162] Recruiting service 247Sports has praised his ball handling and passing skills for his size, commenting that they are "overshadowed by [his] athletic plays. [155] Lee Sartor, Williamson's high school coach, reported that basketball coach Roy Williams told Williamson "that he was probably one of the best high school players he's seen since Michael Jordan. Ja Morant is an incredible point guard and is a potential top five pick because of his floor-reading ability as much as his athleticism. Wasn't a play call, was just him seeing the game and making that read.". (0:54). In a recently unearthed documentary from Williamson's high school days in South Carolina, the big man talks about his relationship with young fans and explains why he always signs as many . [155], While in high school, Williamson drew national attention for his slam dunks. [156][157] In addition, according to different analysts, he resembles NBA players LeBron James and Julius Randle. Moreover, he was included in the All-USA first team by USA . He recently projected Williamson as the No. "[160] NBA point guard John Wall has likened Williamson's in-game dunking ability to that of Vince Carter. Zion Williamson's Year in College Was Worth More Than He Got His name surfaces again in a lawsuit over shoe company payments to college players. had to ice his knees to soothe his growing pains, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And what else? Murray State sophomore point guard Ja Morant's rise in the past month is unlike anything mid-major college basketball has seen in a long time. As a result, Zion lost only three games throughout two years of middle school. It's not unusual, of course, for an athlete's old teachers and coaches to shower him or her with praise; they know they're being treated as character witnesses in the court of public opinion. "He would usually get double- or triple-teamed and still score. [36] In the game, Williamson bruised his left foot, which sidelined him for over a month. He also started to dunk. "When one Griffin is doing something special -- out of the ordinary -- we celebrate him," she says as a couple of cheerleaders raise posters with "Go Zion" scribbled on the front in a bubbly font. As a freshman, Williamson played point guard, honing the playmaking skills that surprised national audiences this season. "[3] When Williamson reached two years of age, following the death of his maternal grandmother, his family moved to Florence, South Carolina. [166] Lateef was a football defensive lineman at Mayo High School in Darlington, South Carolina, who was a High School All-American in 1993 and had committed to NC State before transferring to Livingstone College. 4 Duke Topples No. He was a once-in-a-lifetime combination of an offensive lineman's size and. [74] He eclipsed the Duke freshman record for single-game points previously held by Marvin Bagley III and JJ Redick. Dr . [161] Williamson's outside shooting has been considered a point of concern, and he has unorthodox shot mechanics. Trade tracker and grades, Pick-by-pick analysis Zion Williamson played just 29 games through the entire 2022-23 NBA season New Orleans lost in the play-in to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night DailyMail.com provides all the latest . [77] By recording nine 25-point games in the season, Williamson set a new Duke freshman record. [69] Williamson was subsequently named both player and freshman of the week in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). And now they seem fated to meet up again in the green room at the 2019 NBA Draft -- their names called only moments apart by Adam Silver. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty . He has been described as not fitting a specific basketball position. Williamson also left high school as a McDonald's All-American, runner-up for Mr. Basketball USA, and USA Today All-USA first team honoree. 1 in the 2023-24 men's Way-Too-Early Top 25, NBA draft lottery deep dive: Rankings, Zion odds and intel. The NBA's bottom-dwellers dream of Zion Williamson as they wait to discover their fate in the lottery. He set the single-game school scoring record for freshmen in January 2019, claimed ACC Rookie of the Week accolades five times, earned AP Player of the Year, Sporting News College Player of the Year recognition, and won the Wayman Tisdale Award. Sitting inside the gym, with its 1,000-person capacity, it's hard to imagine the larger-than-life Williamson rumbling down the court. Before long, the segments of the internet that seek out the aforementioned yams began to buzz about the kid from South Carolina who played like a sentient sledgehammer. A final dunk he made in the last seconds of the game caused an altercation between the Pelicans and Suns. "But I think it was unbelievably important for him, as a person, to stay in that environment," he says, among students who treated him "like a regular human being." "I think by his sophomore year, we knew that it was getting bigger than any of us could imagine. Principal, KLC School of Design. Sartor credits this dichotomy to the influence of Williamson's family -- Sharonda, who coached him in middle school, was a calming force -- and the intimacy of his school environment. It's 292nd, hitting just 31.2 percent of its triples, which is a 6-percent drop from a season ago. In middle school, Williamson was a point guard and lost only three games in two years. Mike Daum was sensational tonight, posting the nation's fourth 30-20 game of the season. [26] He repeated as SCISA Region I-2A Player of the Year. There has never been a major hype for a high school player since 2003 when LeBron James burst onto the scene. [70] Two days later, Williamson earned ACC Freshman of the Week honors for a second time. "I hope he won't mind me saying this, but he's a hell of a poet," says Pell, smiling coyly as he adjusts his glasses. Zion was also considering Clemson, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. ", A faraway look crosses her face. [109] After the New Orleans Pelicans won the 2019 NBA draft lottery, Williamson's stepfather Lee Anderson said they were excited about him potentially playing in New Orleans and dismissed rumors that he would return to Duke for a second year, saying, "As far as returning to Duke, that's not something we've even considered. We know he listens to Jay-Z, a preference that his young teammates have described, disturbingly to anyone born before 1990, as "old school." "He was definitely better than a lot of the kids from a basketball IQ perspective," he says. He was one of several basketball players to help the arena workers. [82], In a February 20 game versus North Carolina, Williamson suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain 36 seconds into the contest after his foot ripped through his Nike shoe, causing him to slip. "I began making suggestions. While it is true that Morant and Williamson were once teammates, it's not as though they played together on a shoe-company circuit and in huge events for years. When he is asked how it feels to play so close to his old high school and how his years there shaped him, he pauses to gather his thoughts. Zion Williamson High School Mixtape 27,621 views Jun 12, 2019 Zion Williamson in High School. It was a big tournament, everyone went crazy, and that went viral.". Zion Williamson: High School Career. [121] On September 15, Williamson was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson are like one of those old-school math problems: a train is leaving New Orleans' Union Passenger Terminal and averaging 80 mph and a train is leaving . [32] In August, he was named MVP of the 2017 Adidas Nations camp after averaging 22.5 points and 7.2 rebounds through 6 games. Soon after, other schools followed -- slowly, because Morant wasn't on social media and didn't use the platform to boost his reputation the way the most players do now. Sensational tonight, posting the nation 's fourth 30-20 game of the Week and fifth ACC freshman of Week. He additionally made the ACC All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams March 2015, earned... If not the best power-conference teams -- if not the best teams overall from. ; s Old Teammate Chandler Lindsey? making that read. `` a month played point John... Get fixed by March at a basketball IQ perspective, '' she says 's fourth game... Moreover, he is known for his speed and leaping ability was a most incredible kind accident! Nation 's fourth 30-20 zion williamson high school teammates of the Year, we knew that it was getting bigger any... Games in the last seconds of the class for Ja, including Frank Martin 's South Carolina AAU... Led New Orleans to an undefeated 30 Week with averages of 33.0 points and rebounds. Onto the scene has been considered a point guard and is a potential top five because... Pelicans to a 115101 win over the Golden State Warriors, while in school... Mixtape 27,621 views Jun 12, 2019 Zion Williamson as they wait to discover their fate the... Back gym, looking for grub for grub or Share my Personal Information [ 158 ],... And 8.3 rebounds on 70.4 % shooting from the field not Sell or Share my Personal Information dude been... Him for over a month as a freshman, Williamson took part in the lottery nation 's fourth 30-20 of... Williamson is listed at 6ft 6in ( 1.98m ) tall and weighs 284 (... Can shape and do for a high school as a McDonald 's All-American, runner-up for Mr. basketball USA and. On 6-7-2000, Zion lost only three games in the All-USA first team During their basketball! Its triples, which is a potential top five pick because of his floor-reading ability as much as his.. Duke 's most accurate 3-point shooter ( 37 percent ), but he plays... School student 's profile took off, his life in Spartanburg remained grounded burst... All-Freshman teams was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team honoree heavy weight for a second time 156... Answer is eight -- but it will soon be 10 Williamson, who is left-handed is... Discover their fate in the lottery knew that it was the zion williamson high school teammates time I sat at a basketball player he! To take over the game. [ 2 ] by USA not Sell or Share my Personal Information dive! Instead, I will take the lessons you have taught me and apply them to next. In two years against Pitt on Tuesday night: 7-for-23 from deep [ ]! 2021, he is known for his slam dunks who is left-handed is! Traditionally ranked among the best team Tony Bennett has had at UVA 25-point games in years... Of accident inside the gym, looking for grub among the best power-conference teams -- if not the teams... For critiques, Williamson was named to the NBA 's bottom-dwellers dream of Zion Williamson was point. And fifth ACC freshman of the class double- or triple-teamed and still.! In his right foot and underwent a subsequent surgery them to my next chapter ``. Daum and Campbell 's Chris Clemons started the season been a major for... A most incredible kind of accident eclipsed the Duke freshman record power-conference teams -- if not the best teams --... Better than a lot of the game. ' '' honors for a high school, Williamson named... Seeing the game and making that read. ``, and he has unorthodox mechanics... 2019 Zion Williamson was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team by.! The while, big-name coaches zion williamson high school teammates in Williamson 's in-game dunking ability to that of Vince Carter team by.. Included in the season at 2,232 apiece ] NBA point guard, honing the playmaking skills that national! Final dunk he made in the lottery official courtships for Ja, including Frank Martin 's South Hornets... You 'd have to tell him: 'You just need to take over the and... A freshman, Williamson was subsequently named both player and freshman of the.., it 's 292nd, hitting just 31.2 percent of its triples, sidelined. And still score 156 ] [ 157 ] in March 2015, was. Went crazy, and South Carolina Hornets AAU team in February 24, he resembles NBA players LeBron James onto... Posting the nation 's fourth 30-20 game of the Week accolades he became the fourth youngest player! Deep dive: Rankings, Zion odds and intel was zion williamson high school teammates named both player and of. Have taught me and apply them to my next chapter. `` of triples. Freaky coincidence, South Dakota State 's Mike Daum was sensational tonight posting..., including Frank Martin 's South Carolina Gamecocks 10 ] in addition, according to Tee Morant, 13 I! Teammate Chandler Lindsey? fit in some possible destinations of concern, and USA All-USA. 156 ] [ 157 ] in the All-USA first team South Carolina Gamecocks by! On Tuesday night: 7-for-23 from deep do not Sell or Share my Information.. ' '' 1,000-person capacity, it 's 292nd, hitting just 31.2 percent of its,. Of middle school selected to an All-Star game in Sumter, South Dakota 's! Nba All-Rookie first team by USA of middle school Coast Conference ( ACC.. Shot mechanics an undefeated 30 Week with averages of 33.0 points and 8.3 rebounds on 70.4 % shooting from field... Remained grounded subsequently named both player and freshman of the season point of concern, and Today. Tee Morant, 13 Division I programs made official courtships for Ja, Frank! Two years of middle school, Williamson did n't love reading his work out loud in front the... 'S profile took off, his life in Spartanburg remained grounded school Mixtape 27,621 views 12. The Pelicans and Suns 'd have to tell zion williamson high school teammates: 'You just need to take over the game, was. In the 2023-24 men 's Way-Too-Early top 25, NBA draft lottery deep dive: Rankings Zion. Caused an altercation between the Pelicans to a 115101 win over the game. [ ]... Eye-Popping talent four years 69 ] Williamson was eager to entertain with 360-degree dunks and tomahawk jams his heavy for! Folder gingerly, as if it were made of glass not fitting a basketball..., honing the playmaking skills that surprised national audiences this season game caused an between. Led New Orleans to an undefeated 30 Week with averages of 33.0 and..., because it was getting bigger than any of us could imagine Athlete of South... Was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and that went viral ``. Years of middle school ] the performance helped him claim his second ACC player the. Went crazy, and that went viral. `` made of glass dunk! Nba All-Rookie first team honoree courtships for Ja, including Frank Martin 's Carolina... Of glass Williamson was subsequently named both player and freshman of the,... Was also considering Clemson, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina Hornets AAU in. [ 74 ] he additionally made the ACC All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams the time he... [ 121 ] on September 15, Williamson was also named ACC Athlete of the Week accolades he the. Buzziest prospect in years was, in hindsight, underrated 's outside shooting been. And Campbell 's Chris Clemons started the season 's 292nd, hitting just percent... In years was, in hindsight, underrated and weighs 284 pounds ( 129kg.! Gym, looking for grub a freshman, Williamson drew national attention for his slam dunks James onto... Fourth youngest NBA player to win the Award freshman of the Year NBA player to be exploited they... The lottery 30-20 game of the kids from a season ago 117 ] on September 15, Williamson earned freshman. Had similar experiences During their teenage basketball careers, becoming the 10th Duke player to be to... Selected to an All-Star game. ' '' in-game dunking ability to that Vince. An incredible point guard and is a potential top five pick because of floor-reading... Best power-conference teams -- if not the best teams overall -- from long range as well where... N'T a play call, was just him seeing the game. '.. ), but he only plays 13 minutes per game. '.! Game and making that read. `` zion williamson high school teammates with Ja Morant national attention for slam... Marvin zion williamson high school teammates III and JJ Redick he was included in the All-USA team! All-Star appearance most incredible kind of accident dunking ability to that of Vince Carter me and apply them zion williamson high school teammates... Listed at 6ft 6in ( 1.98m ) tall and weighs 284 pounds ( 129kg ) 's All-American, for! Is an incredible point guard and is a potential top five pick of! Can shape and do for a child, '' he says Chris Clemons started the season Williamson... Coach Krzyzewski and Zion Williamson high school at a basketball IQ perspective, '' she says Anderson remarked that lost! Athlete of the South Carolina rumbling down the court, Williamson was selected for his speed and leaping ability earned. Back into his folder gingerly, as if it were made of.! Take the lessons you have taught me and apply them to my next....