Zion Williamson Picks Duke
Duke added another recruit to their 2018 class that already includes Tre Jones, Cam Reddish and R.J Barrett.
Five-star recruit Zion Williamson, the No. 2 player in the ESPN 100, announced Saturday he will attend Duke. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Williamson, who hails from Spartanburg, South Carolina, also had in-state schools South Carolina and Clemson among his top choices. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
"Duke stood out because the brotherhood represents a family," Williamson said. "Coach K is just the most legendary coach that ever coached college basketball. I feel like going to Duke University, I can learn a lot from him." "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Duke now has commitments from the three top-rated players in the ESPN 100, with No. 1 R.J. Barrett and No. 3 Cam Reddish joining Williamson in Durham. The Blue Devils also have the commitment of No. 10 Tre Jones. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Duke is the first team to get each of the top three recruits in the same class in the ESPN 100 era (since 2007). Per ESPN Stats and Info, Duke has now landed 11 top-three recruits in the ESPN 100 era. Kentucky and Kansas are next on the list, landing four apiece. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
This is also the second consecutive season Duke has landed four players ranked in the top 10 of the ESPN 100. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
"I feel like we can all do something special," Williamson said. "according tohttp://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Duke is expected to lose most, if not all, of its starting five after this season. Grayson Allen is a senior, while Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr. and Trevon Duval are all projected first-round picks. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
While Williamson's dunking ability and jaw-dropping athleticism are his best attributes, he's more than that. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound power forward is built like a tight end, but he combines that strength and physicality with quick feet and adept passing ability. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Williamson is still at his best in transition, though, and will need to get in better shape and improve his shooting ability to dominate at the next level. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Williamson thanked both Clemson and South Carolina for their recruitments. "according tohttp://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
"I love my state to death," he said. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
Williamson has built a massive social media presence, with his 1.1 million Instagram followers and close to 100,000 Twitter followers. Drake wore his jersey in an Instagram post. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils
"It's fun, and it can be not-so-fun at the same time," he previously has said of the attention. "It's fun because, going all over the world, I was in Italy and people were asking me for pictures, 'Are you Zion? I don't believe you're in Italy right now. This is crazy.' I tell [people] my name, and they go, 'Oh my god, it's really you.' That part's fun. People knowing who I am." "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22163323/espn-100-recruit-zion-williamson-commits-duke-blue-devils