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UNC Recruiting: Where will c/o 2018 five-star prospect Zion Williamson go to college?

By Blake Cockrum

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated North Carolina 61-49. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The case for South Carolina

South Carolina isn’t a team you’d normally see in a recruiting battle with the likes of Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina, but the Gamecocks have put together a good pitch for Williamson and made a nice push to get in a good position to land him in Columbia.

The Gamecocks would have a nice team to put around Williamson, including current junior Chris Silva and newly signed five-star prospect Brian Bowen. Bowen is currently the highest-ranked recruit ever signed by South Carolina. That would obviously change with a commitment from Williamson.

Head coach Frank Martin has proven he’s a capable college coach, making it to the Elite 8 in his earlier years with Kansas State and to the Final Four last season with the Gamecocks.

Last year’s team made its run with SEC Player of the Year Sindarius Thornwell and former McDonald’s All-American P.J. Dozier. Next year’s Gamecocks could pull off a similar feat with Bowen and Williamson as the team’s go-to guys.

Although South Carolina doesn’t get the same press as a Duke or North Carolina, Williamson would be “the guy” night in and night out, doing something similar to what Trae Young is doing at Oklahoma this season.

Career record: 225-134 (.627)
Record at South Carolina: 108-80 (.574)

Noteworthy NBA players that played under Martin:
Michael Beasley

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