Zion Williamson, the No. 2 player in the 2018 ESPN 60, was floored by his visit to Kentucky this past weekend and will host Wildcats coach John Calipari on Wednesday for another meeting in which he could land a scholarship offer.
“They have not offered yet,” he said by phone. “But I think Coach Cal and his assistants are coming up Wednesday to talk with me, my head coach and my parents again.”
The 6-foot-7, 230-pound power forward arrived Saturday morning for practice and then returned to Rupp Arena for Kentucky’s 79-73 loss to Kansas. Williamson spoke with Calipari and assistant Joel Justus both before and after the game.
“Indescribable, the environment,” Williamson said of the game, which also featured 38 NBA scouts in attendance. “That environment, I just can’t even describe it, it’s ridiculous.”
Uncommitted Class of 2017 wing Kevin Knox, and Wildcats signee P.J. Washington were also at the game. Williamson said he also spoke with freshmen Hamidou Diallo and Wenyen Gabriel.
“Yes sir, I will consider them,” he said of Kentucky. “I’m trying to look at all the choices I have and pick the school that fits me best.”
Williamson listed a Who’s Who of other schools recruiting him hard: Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, South Carolina, Kansas, Arizona and UCLA. His father attended Clemson.
“He told me I need to find a school that fits me best and right now that’s all we’re trying to do, so we’re just researching the schools,” he said.
Kentucky is among the schools tracking Williamson this season.
In December, Justus watched as Williamson went for 31 points and 14 rebounds as Spartanburg (S.C.) Day fell to Newton (SC) High School, 73-64, in the final of the Farm Bureau Insurance Classic in South Carolina. Williamson, who averaged 36 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 76 percent from the field in the tournament, was named the MVP of the Bojangles Bracket.
Earlier in December he went off for 53 points on 25-for-28 shooting in the Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C.
“I will bring an all-around game,” he said. “I’m one of those players that if I have to score 40 points, then I’ll do that. But if my teammates need to get me 20 rebounds or lock up somebody on defense, then I’ll do that. I just want to help my team win in any type of way.”
