Why South Carolina’s hope for Zion Williamson still exists

As the seconds ticked down in South Carolina’s biggest win of 2017-18, Gamecock fans were already thinking ahead to next season.

“We want Zion” was the chant from 16,000-strong at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday as Chris Silva stepped to the free throw line to further cement USC’s 76-68 upset of No. 18 Kentucky.

Spartanburg Day’s Zion Williamson, the YouTube sensation and consensus top 3 recruit in the 2018 class, has had his name echoed by the USC faithful at various events over the past year. “We want Zion” broke out at Madison Square Garden when the Gamecocks played for the NCAA East Regional title. It was heard again outside CLA as fans waited for the team to arrive following its Final Four-clinching win against Florida.

Heck, “We want Zion” was once chanted at D.J. Burns, an apparent Williamson doppelganger who was on a recruiting visit to Columbia in October.

From coaches to current players to fans to the Columbia mayor, South Carolina is all in on Williamson, who will make his college announcement Saturday night.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound forward is projected by most national experts to pick Clemson over the Gamecocks, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. ESPN’s Paul Biancardi is one of the few “going for the upset” and saying South Carolina will be Williamson’s choice.

Will he be right? Will USC fans be rewarded for their efforts?

The Gamecocks’ pitch to Williamson gained some steam last week when Brian Bowen was officially added to the program. As it stands now, Bowen, No. 14 by ESPN in the 2017 class, is the highest-rated recruit to sign with Carolina. Williamson, ESPN’s No. 2 in the ’18 class, would make him to highest to wear garnet and black.

USC doesn’t have rich tradition, but it has experienced some of its best seasons with in-state prospects.

Lancaster’s Sindarius Thornwell and Columbia’s P.J. Dozier were the headliners to last year’s Final Four run. The 1997 SEC champion Gamecocks featured B.J. McKie (Irmo), Larry Davis (Denmark) and Melvin Watson (Charleston).

Williamson, who’s taken unofficial visits to USC, would be the next in line.

Without Williamson, the Gamecocks are at least an NCAA Tournament-caliber team in 2018-19 as Bowen pairs with Silva, a likely SEC Player of the Year candidate.

With Williamson, the Gamecocks are a threat to make another Final Four.

And when the dust settles next April and Williamson makes his likely jump to the NBA? He’ll have a coach in Frank Martin with one-and-done experience. Michael Beasley, under Martin with Kansas State in 2007-08, led the country in rebounding and was third in scoring. He was picked second overall by the Miami Heat in the 2008 draft.

Williamson, following in the footsteps of Thornwell and Beasley, has a chance at team and individual success should he select the Gamecocks.

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Why South Carolina’s hope for Zion Williamson still exists."