Immanuel Quickley remains hopeful Zion Williamson will join him at Kentucky

By ADAM ZAGORIA

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With less than a week to go before Zion Williamson announces his college choice on Saturday, his buddy Immanuel Quickley is still hopeful Williamson will pick Kentucky over his other suitors.

“I spoke to him a little bit, I won’t say what I know but I’m hoping he can come to Kentucky. That’s basically what it is,” Quickley said after going for 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists as John Carroll (MD) lost to Hudson Catholic (N.J.), 71-58, at the Hoophall Classic.

Asked if he knows if Williamson has made up his mind, Quickley said, “I do not know. I honestly 100 percent do not know if he made up his mind. I think he has a couple of schools that are really favored but I don’t know if he’s 100 percent made up his mind.”

He added: “Kentucky is definitely in there.”

Zion Williamson putting on a show for the crowd ? @ZionW32 pic.twitter.com/MD7smeo0GU

— Overtime (@overtime) January 14, 2018

The 6-6 Williamson, who poured in 36 points in a nationally televised loss to Chino Hills (CA) on Saturday night, is considering Clemson, South Carolina, Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and North Carolina.

“Zion’s a really player, I played with him all summer,” Quickley said. “So if we get him, we could be really special.”

How special?

“If he came to Kentucky?” he said. “I think we could win a national championship. With him, he’s a monster on offense and defense so that just makes it easier for everybody else.”

Still, it remains possible Williamson could stay home and play for Clemson or South Carolina as well.

“Oh yeah, that’s my bro and I’ve been with him all summer so if he stays home I’ll understand,” he said. “Clemson’s about an hour from his home, you can’t be mad at somebody going to college an hour away.”

Quickley said he wasn’t surprised that Williamson went for 36 after barely playing in the last six weeks due to an injury.

“I know how easy the game is for him and how easy it is when you play with him,” he said.

Meantime, Quickley himself is looking forward to joining the Wildcats for 2018-19. It seems likely that at least one of the current freshman lead guards, Quade Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will return to join him.

“[John Calipari] texts me every now and then,” he said. “I knew he couldn’t be here because they played today. I’m still worried about my high school season.”

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