Williamson prize for Pelicans
The NBA draft is like the college basketball season; it’s all about Zion Williamson.
The Duke freshman was the biggest star the college game has seen in years with his breathtaking dunks and incomparable athleticism. Now he’s him the unquestioned choice to go No. 1 in Thursday’s NBA draft.
Williamson headlines a deep group of forwards, which includes fellow Blue Devils freshman RJ Barrett and Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter as potential high lottery picks.
Here’s a look at the top prospects:
ZION WILLIAMSON, Duke
The Associated Press national player of the year could be a franchise-changing talent.
STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson blends size, strength and nimble moves in a rarely-seen package. Beyond the highlight-reel dunks, he was practically unstoppable in the open court and when he put the ball on the floor in the paint, both with a quick step to bypass defenders and the strength to overpower them. Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 68%, and was a good — even dazzling at times — passer. He’s also a willing defender who can cover a lot of ground, wrestle in the paint and protect the rim (1.8 blocks).
CONCERNS: Not much. The popular theory is to sag off considering he made just 33.8% from 3-point range last season, though he was much better both after Jan. 1 (39.6 and in four NCAA Tournament games (7 of 17, 41.1%). He must improve at the line after making just 64% of his free throws.
RJ BARRETT, Duke Barrett joined Williamson in Duke’s powerful 1-2 punch and could go third overall.
STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-7, 202-pound Barrett led the Atlantic Coast Conference at 22.6 points to go with 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The lefty is a pro-ready scorer who can attack the paint, hit from midrange or step outside. Barrett was an AP first-team all-American with an ACC single-season freshman scoring record with 860 points — the second best total by any player in Duke history.
CONCERNS: Barrett must improve as a 3-point shooter (30.8 to fully stretch defenses. He also shot 66.5% at the foul line, including a critical miss in the final seconds of the NCAA Elite Eight loss against Michigan State. And at times, Barrett’s aggressiveness worked against him, such as when he had three shots blocked in the paint in the final minute of the loss to Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational championship game.