In a shocking decision, small forward Zion Williamson chose Duke University in a college commitment ceremony at his school Saturday night.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound five-star out of Spartanburg, S.C., is a McDonald’s All-American and a consensus top-three recruit in the country. He had taken official visits to Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and North Carolina over a five-week stretch this fall. Williamson was also thought to be a strong candidate to remain in his home state and commit to either South Carolina or Clemson.
With most prognosticators predicting either Clemson or Kentucky, the Blue Devils were thought to be a long-shot.
Instead, Williamson donned a Duke cap and said, “I will be joining the brotherhood of Duke University.”
“Duke stood out because the brotherhood represents a family,” he added. “Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) is the most legendary coach that ever coached college basketball. I feel like going to Duke University, I can learn a lot from him.”
Williamson’s decision gives Duke the best recruiting class in the nation and quite possibly one of the best in history. Forwards Cam Reddish and R.J. Barrett signed letters of intent in November. Like Williamson, they’re consensus top-three recruits, giving Duke the three best high school seniors in the nation. The Blue Devils also signed point guard Tre Jones, the consensus No. 8 player in the nation, in the November signing period.
