5-star Zion Williamson makes commitment decision

by TigerNet Staff - Saturday, January 20, 2018, 8:20 PM

Zion Williamson - Forward
TigerNet: (5.00)

Height: 6-6 Weight: 275 Hometown: Spartanburg, SC (Spartanburg Day School HS) Class: 2018

ESPN:

#2 Overall, #1 , #1 SC

Rivals:

#3 Overall

24/7:

#3 Overall, #1 PF, #1 SC

Five-star basketball prospect Zion Williamson cited a "brotherhood" and family in picking Duke over Clemson and a host of presumed finalists during a televised ceremony at his school Saturday night.

The class of 2018 Spartanburg Day School forward opted for Blue Devils over other blue-blood suitors such as Kentucky, North Carolina and Kansas, as well as instate South Carolina and Clemson. Williamson is rated as high as the No. 2 prospect in the country and the No. 1 power forward.

Williamson didn’t put out a top schools list even as his recruitment drawing to a close. As of Saturday afternoon, 88 percent of the projections on 247Sports’ Crystal Ball had him going to Clemson, with Kentucky, South Carolina and UNC each drawing four percent.

"First I'd like to thank South Carolina and Clemson for taking the time to recruit me," Williamson said on the ESPN broadcast, "but like my mom said, I had to follow my heart."

Here's the moment when Zion Williamson committed to Duke: #HereComesDuke pic.twitter.com/Mbrm1SRpWB
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) January 21, 2018

Zion Williamson explains why he picked Duke over Clemson, South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, and UNC: #HereComesDuke pic.twitter.com/RW1vg2VALx
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) January 21, 2018

Clemson was in early on Williamson’s recruitment, becoming the first team to offer him following his freshman season. He also had Tiger ties with stepdad Lee Anderson being a former Clemson basketball player.

Williamson became a social media sensation over the last few years, gaining over one million followers on Instagram, and Saturday, topping 100,000 followers on Twitter. Several Williamson highlight reels on YouTube top a million views.

The 6-foot-6 playmaker averaged 36.8 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game as a junior. The McDonald’s All-American has missed time this season with a foot injury, but averaged 37 points and 16.5 rebounds in November and posted 31 points in his return from injury last week and 34 points and nine rebounds last time out.