Why this ESPN analyst predicts Zion Williamson to South Carolina
Based on pure observation and a little homework, Paul Biancardi predicted Zion Williamson to choose South Carolina.
ESPN’s national director of recruiting was put on the spot last week during ESPNU’s coverage of the Hoophall Classic, a high school basketball event in Springfield, Mass., that featured Williamson and his Spartanburg Day School team.
“You gotta pick one,” analyst Jeff Borzello said to his colleague after Biancardi whittled Williamson’s options down to USC and Clemson.
“I’m picking South Carolina,” Biancardi responded. “I’m going for the upset.”
Williamson, a consensus top 3 recruit in the 2018 class, will make his announcement at 8 p.m. Saturday. Finalists for the 6-foot-6, 272-pound forward are considered to be Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, the Tigers and the Gamecocks.
The majority of Biancardi-types have Williamson leaning toward Clemson. So why did Biancardi say USC?
It started last month when Biancardi was in Myrtle Beach to cover the Beach Ball Classic. Williamson was there, too, but not participating, because of his foot injury.
“And after every game, even though he was injured, he came and signed autographs,” Biancardi told The State newspaper on Thursday. “They had a table for him, and he signed every last autograph three nights in a row and took a picture with Gamecock fans and Clemson Tiger fans. And I stood there and I watched.
“He did it with a big smile and a warm heart. This kid is a genuinely caring, loving person – I think that’s the way he was raised – and I think there’s such a gravitation towards him from the people in this state and he reciprocates that back, which just made me say to myself, ‘Now I see it’s hard for him to leave the state.’ ”
Clemson got in early with Williamson, offering him a scholarship in the ninth grade and never shying away when the blue bloods flocked to see him. Williamson’s stepfather, Lee Anderson, also played for the Tigers. Littlejohn Coliseum is a little more 70 miles from Spartanburg Day.
“So, obviously, that’s a very viable option,” Biancardi said. “(Clemson coach) Brad (Brownell) has done a wonderful job there, and right now they’re a top 25 team, and the program has been very consistent.”
Colonial Life Arena is a little less than 100 miles from Spartanburg Day. A Final Four banner was unveiled there in November. Frank Martin prowls the sideline.
“Frank’s rejuvenated that program,” Biancardi said. “So it’s not out of the realm of possibility to stay home at one of those schools, because they’ve been successful in different ways.”
But, again, Biancardi teased Williamson in garnet and black, potentially playing with Brian Bowen and Chris Silva, and following the footsteps of former Palmetto State prep stars Sindarius Thornwell and P.J. Dozier.
“The reason I said South Carolina was because I think everybody’s leaning towards Clemson, and I think that’s the easy choice,” Biancardi said. “And when I started to peel back the layers of South Carolina, I thought about who Frank recruited with the high-profile kids, how they’ve developed with Thornwell and Dozier.
“Having Bowen is very attractive. And then next year, you’d have Bowen, Silva and Zion. That’s exciting.”
Martin in 2007-08 coached both Michael Beasley and Bill Walker at Kansas State. The pair of five-star recruits left early for the 2008 NBA draft. Beasley, a freshman, went second overall to the Miami Heat. Walker, a sophomore, went in the second round to the Washington Wizards.
“Those guys had the big reps, the big names, the big following,” Biancardi said. “And it seemed like (Martin) handled those kids very well on the court.
“So that’s what made me say, ‘You know what? Maybe they have a better chance than people think.’ ”
Bowen’s addition has given South Carolina late momentum in the Williamson sweepstakes. Should the 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing get cleared by the NCAA for next season, Bowen gives Williamson a highly touted partner.
“Talented players love to play with other talented players,” Biancardi said. “They don’t want to go in there and do it all themselves, but at the same time, they want enough room for their game. I just think the attraction of Bowen being as talented as he is doesn’t put all the spotlight on Zion and it gives him some help and relief, if he was to play on that roster.
“You can go through every roster, and there’s players on every roster that will help him get through the season.”
Duke has already signed three five-star players in the ’18 class. North Carolina has signed two. Kentucky has signed two. Kansas has signed two.
Clemson and South Carolina are seeking their first.
This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Why this ESPN analyst predicts Zion Williamson to South Carolina."