In a way, it's easy to take Zion Williamson's game for granted.
The Duke sensation's dropped-from-the-sky dunks, soaring weak-side blocks, and looming overall athletic supremacy is what propelled him to nationwide fame as a high-schooler, and what separates him most from any draft prospect the NBA has ever seen. But those imminently highlight-worthy exploits inevitably obscure the high-level nuance and intelligence he plays with – which, as Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski tells it, are not the only traits of Williamson's that are so often overlooked.
In a feature by ESPN's Mina Kimes diving into the 18-year-old superstar's life at a tiny Spartanburg, SC high school, Krzyzewski reveals that he puts all people into two categories, and that those like Williamson “shine” brightest among the rest.
“There are sunshine people and cloudy people,” he says. “He's brilliant sunshine.”
Krzyzewski isn't the only person in a position of influence who's noticed something special in Williamson. His creative writing teacher at Spartanburg Country Day, Bill Pell, calls his ability as a writer “remarkable,” and even once suggested to Williamson that he could have a career in poetry.
“I said, ‘Zion…you're going to be as good a writer as you are a basketball player if you follow through on this,'” Pell recalls.
Williamson, the consensus National Player of the Year as a freshman, averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game last season. At 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, he's one of the best and most unique overall athletes in the history of professional sports. But just like Krzyzewski so glowingly suggests, it's not physical gifts alone that make him a potentially transcendent player in the NBA.
Follow Us
Subscribe