Celebrities have flocked to see Duke's 18-year-old superstar, Zion Williamson — here's why he's been dubbed one of the 'most impressive' collegiate prospects ever
Copy linkEmailFacebookWhatsAppXLinkedInBlueskyThreadsImpact Link
SaveSaved
If you aren't already familiar with Zion Williamson, now is the time.
2019-03-21
With March Madness kicking off on Thursday, perhaps no player will receive as much attention as the 18-year-old Duke star trying to lead the Blue Devils to the national title.
Williamson's fame has exploded in his freshman year at Duke. A high-school basketball star, Williamson has risen to a new level this year, thanks to his jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel dunks. He's considered one of the best college basketball prospects ever, and he's the consensus No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this June.
Here's how and why Williamson has become the brightest star in college basketball.
Zion Williamson has become the single biggest star in college basketball, solidifying himself as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft thanks to a stellar freshman season.
Andy Lyons/Getty
The 18-year-old, 6-foot-7, 285-pound forward has averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, and two assists per game for Duke, a No. 1 seed. ESPN's draft expert Mike Schmitz described Williamson as "far and away the most impressive collegiate prospect I've ever evaluated."
Williamson has become such a showstopper that he attracted celebrities to Duke games, from former President Barack Obama ...
Gerry Broome/AP
... to Jay Z ...
Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
... to LeBron James ...
Justin Cooper/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
... to Dwyane Wade ...
Also pictured: Shane Battier, Justise Winslow, and Udonis Haslem.Lance King/Getty Images
... to Floyd Mayweather.
Also pictured: the Golden State Warriors' Quinn Cook.Lance King/Getty Images
Though Williamson's fame has exploded to a national level at Duke, he was already fairly well known in the basketball world as one of the top high-school prospects.
Gregory Payan/AP
Williamson was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and attended Spartanburg Day School, where he became a five-star recruit.
Gregory Payan/AP
Williamson rose to fame through mixtape culture, which showed his explosive play. He often made other high-school kids look foolish on the court — he was simply on another level physically.
In 2017, Williamson and his AAU team, SC Supreme, faced the Big Ballers, which featured LaMelo Ball, the youngest brother of Lonzo Ball and the son of LaVar Ball. The game drew a crowd so big that people were turned away at the doors — and 80,000 people streamed it on Facebook Live.
Though LaMelo Ball was the bigger star at the moment, Williamson outshined him, scoring 28 points and helping SC Supreme get the win.
Williamson averaged 36.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists during his high-school career. ESPN ranked him the No. 2 prospect in the country in 2018.
Gregory Payan/AP
Williamson eventually declared for Duke, which had a massive recruiting class, landing the No. 1 prospect, RJ Barrett, and the No. 3 prospect, Cam Reddish.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Upon landing at Duke, Williamson immediately made highlights — not for his play, but for his vertical test. Williamson jumped so high that the Duke staff began putting weights underneath the measuring device to raise it higher.
Some wondered how Williamson's game would translate to college, where he wouldn't have the same physical advantages he had in high school. There was also concern about Williamson being a "tweener," or a player in between positions — too big and slow to play small forward, too small to play power forward or center.
Gregory Payan/AP
As it turned out, Williamson did just fine. In Duke's first three exhibition games, he averaged over 25 points on 80% shooting and nearly 11 rebounds per game.
Gerry Broome/AP
He quickly became the top prospect in college basketball, even over his highly touted teammates in Barrett and Reddish.
Williamson is much more than a dunker. He also has a smooth handle that allows him to use his athletic ability in transition.
And his strength and leaping ability make him a menace on the glass.
Williamson doesn't have the smoothest stroke, but his shot looks far from broken. He shot 31.5% from three as a freshman. If he can hit them more consistently in the NBA, he'll be a terror.
Simply put, the basketball world has never really seen someone like Williamson: a nearly 300-pound player who is more athletic than his peers and amazingly skilled too.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Williamson had a scare in February when, in a highly anticipated matchup against UNC, he tore through his shoe on a drive, then injured his knee.
The incident drew major national attention not only for the bizarre nature of the injury, but for concerns about Williamson's collegiate future. Some argued he should sit out the rest of the season to protect his future earnings in the NBA.
Williamson missed five games with his knee injury. When he returned to action, he said of the idea of sitting out, "Thanks, but no thanks."
Nell Redmond/AP
Williamson's return to the floor was emphatic. He dominated in the ACC Tournament, averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and one block per game while shooting 77% from the floor and 50% from three, helping Duke win the title.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Now Williamson will try to lead Duke to the NCAA Tournament title. The Blue Devils are the heavy favorites.
Scott is a senior sports reporter for Business Insider, covering all sports with a specific focus on the NBA and the constantly moving basketball world. Since joining Business Insider in 2014, he has reported on NBA trade demands, free agency rumors and news, breakout players you should know, behind-the-scenesbusiness stories, and more. He once briefly led JJ Redick in a game of H-O-R-S-E.Send Scott tips, pitches, complaints, and more at sdavis@jkmperu.com and follow him on Twitter: @WScottDavis.
