Keeping It Heel
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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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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 08: the Clemson Tigers cheerleaders perform during the second round of the ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 8, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 08: the Clemson Tigers cheerleaders perform during the second round of the ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 8, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The case for Clemson

Okay, so maybe Clemson isn’t one of the usual suspects here, but there’s good reason that they’re still so heavily involved in Williamson’s recruitment just hours before his decision.

The Tigers began recruiting Williamson right after his ninth-grade year in school, and that’s also when they offered him a scholarship, his first. In the time since then, Brad Brownell and his coaching staff have spent a lot of time building a strong relationship with both Williamson and his family. They’ve put more time and effort into that than any of the other programs on the list, by virtue of time, if nothing else.

Another key factor for Clemson is that Williamson’s stepfather, Lee Anderson, played for the Tigers and has close ties to the Clemson coaching staff. His mother, Sharonda Sampson, has a very good relationship with Brownell and his assistants, too.

There’s also the fact that, while Clemson is having a good season this year, he will have every opportunity afforded to him to be the team’s star and No. 1 option on offense next season. Despite their current level of play, and a couple of three-star players who will join the fold next season, Williamson will squarely be the focal point if he chooses to attend Clemson.

Clemson and Brownell haven’t turned out a bunch of pros, but that likely won’t be a huge area of concern for Williamson, who’s already well aware of his pro prospects, thanks to all of the hoopla and fan fare that’s surrounded him for so long.

Career record: 304-190 (.615)
Record at Clemson 133-104 (.561)

Noteworthy NBA players that played under Brownell:
None

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