Cleveland Cavaliers: 10 prospects to watch for in 2019 NBA Draft
By Tony Pesta
1. Zion Williamson — SF (Duke)
To no one’s surprise, Zion Williamson takes the No. 1 spot on this list. If you haven’t heard about Williamson yet, you must be living under a rock. Zion is easily one of the most popular 18-year-old athletes of all time.
Zion’s physical attributes make him a once-in-a-generation athlete. His speed and jumping ability seem unfair for a player that is 6’7″ and weighs 285 pounds. Williamson could make a living in the NBA off his athleticism alone.
However, there is more to his game than just high-flying dunks. Zion is an exceptional rebounder and has a soft touch around the rim. As he continues to round out his offensive game, there is a real chance he could become a consistent mid-range shooter and maybe even a 3-point shooter.
NBA comparison: LeBron James
Oddly enough, the only player in NBA history that can match Zion’s size and athleticism is LeBron James. Of course, James has built an incredible career with his athletic ability as the centerpiece.
However, there are a ton of things that James was doing at 18 years old that Zion is not. For example, James always had incredible court vision and passing ability that Williamson has shown, but not matched. Furthermore, LeBron wasted no time perfecting a quality jump shot that made him impossible to defend.
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Williamson has a very high ceiling. Any player drawing comparisons to LeBron James must have a ton of potential. It will take a lot of work for Zion Williamson to experience the same level of success as James, but the fact that a career like his is even an option is enough to make him the No. 1 prospect for Cavs fans to keep an eye on.