Williamson, Zion (2000-…), is a highly skilled forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Williamson stands 6 feet 6 inches (198 centimeters) tall and weighs about 280 pounds (127 kilograms). His combination of explosive, acrobatic moves and deft shooting and passing skills has won him widespread attention on the court since his high school years.
Zion Lateef Williamson was born on July 6, 2000, in Salisbury, North Carolina. His mother was a track and field athlete in college. His father played collegiate football, and his stepfather played collegiate basketball. Williamson began attracting attention from college recruiters during his freshman year in high school, when he stood 6 feet 3 inches (191 centimeters) tall and played point guard. Two years later, after he had grown to full height, videos of his spectacular dunk shots became popular on the website YouTube. In his last two years of high school, he averaged more than 36 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots per game. Basketball publications rated Williamson among the nation’s top high school players.
Williamson played the 2018-2019 season as a freshman at Duke University. He averaged nearly 23 points and 9 rebounds per game. The Pelicans selected him first in the 2019 NBA draft. Williamson missed the early months of the 2019-2020 NBA season with a knee injury. He made his NBA debut on Jan. 22, 2020. Williamson averaged 27 points per game during the 2020-2021 season and was named to his first All-Star team. He missed the 2021-2022 season with a foot injury. He returned for the 2022-2023 season and was named to his second All-Star team.
