Page namespace (page_namespace) | 0 |
Page title without namespace (page_title) | 'Zion Williamson' |
Full page title (page_prefixedtitle) | 'Zion Williamson' |
Old content model (old_content_model) | 'wikitext' |
New content model (new_content_model) | 'wikitext' |
Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Zion Williamson
| image = File:Zionposter.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Williamson dunks in 2017
| number = 12
| position = [[Small forward]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 230
| league = [[South Carolina Independent School Association|SCISA]]
| team = Spartanburg Day Griffins
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|7|6}}
| birth_place = [[Salisbury, North Carolina]]
| nationality = American
| high_school = [[Spartanburg Day School]] <br> ([[Spartanburg, South Carolina]])
| college =
| highlights =
}}
'''Zion Williamson''' (born July 6, 2000) is an American [[basketball]] player who attends [[Spartanburg Day School]] in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]. Currently a senior , he has been ranked as one of the top high school players in his class. In 2017, the North Carolina native gained significant media coverage after a series of slam dunks.
== Early life ==
Williamson was born on July 6, 2000 in [[Salisbury, North Carolina]].<ref name=growthspurt/> He was named after [[Mount Zion]], which appears in the Bible.<ref name="finest">{{cite web|last1=Bezjak|first1=Lou|title=Williamson drawing attention as one of 2018’s finest|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article105425861.html|website=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=October 1, 2016}}</ref> His father Lateef Williamson was a [[Lineman (gridiron football)|defensive lineman]] who had earned All-American honors at Darlington High School in Darlington, South Carolina. Lateef had committed to [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State]] before transferring to [[Livingstone College]].<ref name="growthspurt">{{cite web|last1=Wertz, Jr.|first1=Langston|title=One of nation’s top basketball recruits resides in Spartanburg, says Coach K offered scholarship|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article112797658.html|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=November 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="legend">{{cite web|last1=Fowler|first1=Scott|title=The legend of basketball phenom Zion Williamson|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article133179434.html|website=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> Zion's mother Sharonda Sampson was a [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] at Livingstone and became a middle school health and physical education teacher. When Zion was two years of age, following the death of Sampson's mother, his family moved to [[Florence, South Carolina]].<ref name=growthspurt/><ref name=legend/> By the time he was five years old, his parents divorced.<ref name=legend/>
During his childhood, Williamson briefly played multiple sports including [[Association football|soccer]] and [[American football|football]].<ref name=finest/> At five years of age, Williamson first planned on becoming a standout college basketball player.<ref name=usatodayhss/> He played in many youth leagues with his mother as his coach.<ref name=legend/> He began working with his stepfather and former [[Clemson Tigers men's basketball|Clemson]] basketball player Lee Anderson to improve his skills as a [[point guard]].<ref name="usatodayhss">{{cite web|last1=Jordan|first1=Jason|title=Chick-fil-A Classic: Zion Williamson is taking the country by storm|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2016/chick-fil-a-classic-zion-williamson-is-taking-the-country-by-storm-duke-kentucky-north-carolina-drake|website=''[[USA Today|''USA Today'' High School Sports]]''|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> Even at age five, he competed with nine-year-olds on the Sumter Falcons [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) team.<ref name=usatodayhss/> At Johnakin Middle School in [[Marion, South Carolina]], coached by his mother as well, Williamson averaged 20 points per game.<ref name=usatodayhss/>
== High school career ==
Shortly before ninth grade, Williamson enrolled at Spartanburg Day School, a small [[K–12]] private school in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]].<ref name=finest/> Between eighth and ninth grade, he grew from 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) to 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m).<ref name=legend/> In the summer prior to his first season with Sharon High School basketball team, he also trained in a school gym and eventually developed the ability to dunk.<ref name="washpost">{{cite web|last1=Babb|first1=Kent|title=Zion Williamson, 16, might be the best dunker on the Internet. And what else?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/zion-williamson-16-might-be-the-best-dunker-on-the-internet-and-what-else/2017/04/07/84139f04-1b02-11e7-855e-4824bbb5d748_story.html|website=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=April 9, 2017|date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> As a freshman for the Griffins, Williamson averaged 24.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.0 blocks and earned all-state and all-region honors.<ref name="freshman">{{cite web|title=2015 Boys Basketball All-Area Team|url=http://www.goupstate.com/news/20150405/2015-boys-basketball-all-area-team|website=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]|accessdate=April 9, 2017|date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>
The Senior attends Spartanburg Day School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.<ref name=finest/><ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article133103369.html Is SC dunking phenom Zion Williamson basketball's next LeBron James?]</ref> As a sophomore he helped lead his team to win the state championship, where he scored 32 points.<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article112797658.html One of nation’s top basketball recruits resides in Spartanburg, says Coach K offered scholarship]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article134672699.html The legend of Zion: What it’s like to be a celebrity at 16]</ref> As a junior he averaged 36.8 points and 13.0 rebounds per game and led his team to their second straight state championship, where he scored 51 points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/2/25/14738944/zion-williamson-spartanburg-day-state-champions-another-nasty-dunk|title=Zion Williamson scored 51 points in a championship game and had another jaw-dropping dunk|work=SBNation.com|access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article141377683.html Calipari offers scholarship to high school basketball sensation Zion Williamson]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article136969108.html Superstar recruit Zion Williamson returning to play in Midlands]</ref><ref>[http://www.goupstate.com/sports/20170225/zion-williamson-scores-51-as-spartanburg-day-earns-repeat Zion Williamson scores 51 as Spartanburg Day earns repeat]</ref>
Williamson gained national notoriety after a series of mixtapes showcasing his athletic ability, dominating style and flashy dunks went viral. Since, Williamson has garnered attention from the national media, including an interview on ESPN's Sportscenter, only adding to his growing reputation.<ref>{{Citation|last=IDMD WORLDWIDE MUSIC|title=Zion Williamson Full Sportcenter Interview|date=2017-03-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz5hGyWGbz4|accessdate=2017-04-04}}</ref>
Williamson is rated as a five-star recruit and is ranked as the best player in the 2018 class.<ref>https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/16394</ref><ref>http://www.scout.com/player/200316-zion-williamson</ref><ref>[http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/high-school/article139443573.html Have you seen viral dunker Zion Williamson play? You’ll be able to this December in Myrtle Beach]</ref> While Williamson has received numerous scholarship offers, he has yet to commit to any program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/215742/zion-williamson|title=Zion Williamson - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Zion}}
[[Category:2000 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Basketball players from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Forwards (basketball)]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Zion Williamson
| image = File:Zionposter.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Williamson dunks in 2017
| number = 12
| position = [[Small forward]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 230
| league = [[South Carolina Independent School Association|SCISA]]
| team = Spartanburg Day Griffins
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|7|6}}
| birth_place = [[Salisbury, North Carolina]]
| nationality = American
| high_school = [[Spartanburg Day School]] <br> ([[Spartanburg, South Carolina]])
| college =
| highlights =
}}
'''Zion Williamson''' (born July 6, 2000) is an American [[basketball]] player who attends [[Spartanburg Day School]] in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]. Currently a senior , he has been ranked as one of the top high school players in his class. In 2017, the North Carolina native gained significant media coverage after a series of slam dunks.
== Early life ==
Williamson was born on July 666666666, 7990 in [[Salisbury, North Car]].<ref name=growthspurt/> He was named after [[Mount Zion]], which appears in the Bible.<ref name="finest">{{cite web|last1=Bezjak|first1=Lou|title=Williamson drawing attention as one of 2018’s finest|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article105425861.html|website=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=October 1, 2016}}</ref> His father Lateef Williamson was a [[Lineman (gridiron football)|defensive lineman]] who had earned All-American honors at Darlington High School in Darlington, South Carolina. Lateef had committed to [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State]] before transferring to [[Livingstone College]].<ref name="growthspurt">{{cite web|last1=Wertz, Jr.|first1=Langston|title=One of nation’s top basketball recruits resides in Spartanburg, says Coach K offered scholarship|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article112797658.html|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=November 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="legend">{{cite web|last1=Fowler|first1=Scott|title=The legend of basketball phenom Zion Williamson|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article133179434.html|website=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> Zion's mother Sharonda Sampson was a [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] at Livingstone and became a middle school health and physical education teacher. When Zion was two years of age, following the death of Sampson's mother, his family moved to [[Florence, South Carolina]].<ref name=growthspurt/><ref name=legend/> By the time he was five years old, his parents divorced.<ref name=legend/>
During his childhood, Williamson briefly played multiple sports including [[Association football|soccer]] and [[American football|football]].<ref name=finest/> At five years of age, Williamson first planned on becoming a standout college basketball player.<ref name=usatodayhss/> He played in many youth leagues with his mother as his coach.<ref name=legend/> He began working with his stepfather and former [[Clemson Tigers men's basketball|Clemson]] basketball player Lee Anderson to improve his skills as a [[point guard]].<ref name="usatodayhss">{{cite web|last1=Jordan|first1=Jason|title=Chick-fil-A Classic: Zion Williamson is taking the country by storm|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2016/chick-fil-a-classic-zion-williamson-is-taking-the-country-by-storm-duke-kentucky-north-carolina-drake|website=''[[USA Today|''USA Today'' High School Sports]]''|accessdate=April 7, 2017|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> Even at age five, he competed with nine-year-olds on the Sumter Falcons [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) team.<ref name=usatodayhss/> At Johnakin Middle School in [[Marion, South Carolina]], coached by his mother as well, Williamson averaged 20 points per game.<ref name=usatodayhss/>
== High school career ==
Shortly before ninth grade, Williamson enrolled at Spartanburg Day School, a small [[K–12]] private school in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]].<ref name=finest/> Between eighth and ninth grade, he grew from 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) to 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m).<ref name=legend/> In the summer prior to his first season with Sharon High School basketball team, he also trained in a school gym and eventually developed the ability to dunk.<ref name="washpost">{{cite web|last1=Babb|first1=Kent|title=Zion Williamson, 16, might be the best dunker on the Internet. And what else?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/zion-williamson-16-might-be-the-best-dunker-on-the-internet-and-what-else/2017/04/07/84139f04-1b02-11e7-855e-4824bbb5d748_story.html|website=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=April 9, 2017|date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> As a freshman for the Griffins, Williamson averaged 24.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.0 blocks and earned all-state and all-region honors.<ref name="freshman">{{cite web|title=2015 Boys Basketball All-Area Team|url=http://www.goupstate.com/news/20150405/2015-boys-basketball-all-area-team|website=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]|accessdate=April 9, 2017|date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>
The Senior attends Spartanburg Day School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.<ref name=finest/><ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article133103369.html Is SC dunking phenom Zion Williamson basketball's next LeBron James?]</ref> As a sophomore he helped lead his team to win the state championship, where he scored 32 points.<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article112797658.html One of nation’s top basketball recruits resides in Spartanburg, says Coach K offered scholarship]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article134672699.html The legend of Zion: What it’s like to be a celebrity at 16]</ref> As a junior he averaged 36.8 points and 13.0 rebounds per game and led his team to their second straight state championship, where he scored 51 points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/2/25/14738944/zion-williamson-spartanburg-day-state-champions-another-nasty-dunk|title=Zion Williamson scored 51 points in a championship game and had another jaw-dropping dunk|work=SBNation.com|access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article141377683.html Calipari offers scholarship to high school basketball sensation Zion Williamson]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article136969108.html Superstar recruit Zion Williamson returning to play in Midlands]</ref><ref>[http://www.goupstate.com/sports/20170225/zion-williamson-scores-51-as-spartanburg-day-earns-repeat Zion Williamson scores 51 as Spartanburg Day earns repeat]</ref>
Williamson gained national notoriety after a series of mixtapes showcasing his athletic ability, dominating style and flashy dunks went viral. Since, Williamson has garnered attention from the national media, including an interview on ESPN's Sportscenter, only adding to his growing reputation.<ref>{{Citation|last=IDMD WORLDWIDE MUSIC|title=Zion Williamson Full Sportcenter Interview|date=2017-03-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz5hGyWGbz4|accessdate=2017-04-04}}</ref>
Williamson is rated as a five-star recruit and is ranked as the best player in the 2018 class.<ref>https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/16394</ref><ref>http://www.scout.com/player/200316-zion-williamson</ref><ref>[http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/high-school/article139443573.html Have you seen viral dunker Zion Williamson play? You’ll be able to this December in Myrtle Beach]</ref> While Williamson has received numerous scholarship offers, he has yet to commit to any program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/215742/zion-williamson|title=Zion Williamson - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Zion}}
[[Category:2000 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Basketball players from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Forwards (basketball)]]' |
