Recruiting analyst: Clemson has "best shot" with Zion Williamson

Williamson is projected as "a high level talent who should have a big impact from day one..."

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Friday, January 5, 2018, 12:10 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

Spartanburg basketball sensation Zion Williamson announced his decision day this week for Jan. 20, leaving a couple weeks of recruiting and speculation to go.

Thought a longshot earlier in the process, Clemson has surged to favorite status, with 63 percent of the projections spread between four teams on 247Sports. Kentucky is seen as the biggest challenger (21 percent).

Williamson made official visits to other top contenders, with UNC his last one on Oct. 27. Familiar with Clemson already, Williamson did make an appearance at the ACC-SEC football showdown with Auburn in September.

247Sports director of recruiting Evan Daniels projected Clemson as the pick on Thursday and talked about the process with Williamson.

“In terms of where he might land, nearly all of the talk has centered on Clemson. I can’t say that I think he’s definitively going to Clemson,” Daniels wrote in a roundtable discussion, “but they are certainly getting all of the buzz. Staying home has always been discussed as a legitimate option and there is a very strong relationship with the coaching staff.”

In the same roundtable, Brian Snow says staying home is something that fits Williamson.

“Zion has always been a kid who kind of does his own thing,” Snow wrote, “so it wouldn't be a shock to see him shun blue blood programs in order to stay closer to home. Personally I think Zion is a kid who would rather be the big fish at a school than someone who comes in with multiple five-star prospects so the Clemson info does make sense.

“With that said I'm far from counting out a school like Kentucky, but right now the best information I has says Clemson has the best shot.”

What kind of player would the Tigers get?

“He's a freak show athletically who carries his weight much better than you would expect,” 247’s Josh Gershon wrote, "and with a 6-foot-11 wingspan he has deceptive length as well. He gets the most out of his physical tools due to how hard he plays. Williamson is outstanding in transition due to his sheer power and athleticism, while he's also a very good rebounder and shot blocker. Improving his jumper along with his handle in the half court will be keys for Williamson moving forward, while one would assume with better conditioning he could potentially be even better athletically.

“He's a high level talent who should have a big impact from day one on a college basketball court.”