Who You Taking: Zion V Barrett battle for the top spot
By Brandon Blakney
The 2018 cycle is absolutely loaded with talent that oozes major upside at the next level, two players Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett stand tall among the bunch.
Williamson had been number two under Marvin Bagley until his decision to reclass and join the Duke Blue Devils a year early. With Bagley out the way it seemed Williamson was the definitive top prospect. The most popular player in prep ball has already built a cult like falling on youtube. Williamson’s rim rocking jams cause a social media frenzy almost daily, and he’s already been deemed one of the most athletic players in hoops regardless of age or level. The recent SLAM cover solidified his name into hoops prestige.
Barrett changed the dynamic of the ’18 cycle when he joined and knocked Williamson back to number two. The young Canadian superstar has taken the hoops world by storm the last six months and proved a reclass was necessary. Barrett led Monteverde Academy to a Dicks Nationals championship appearance while lighting up the field for a smooth 25 points and eight boards per game. The young stud also dominated presumably the toughest league on the travel ball circuit, over the summer he led Nike’s EYBL league in scoring with 28 points per game.
Both these players have impressed big names already, Barrett lit up All Star weekend in New Orleans during Basketball Without Borders in front of tons of NBA scouts and all stars, “On the biggest of stages, R.J. Barrett is unbelievable,” said Corey Evans of Rivals via SB Nation.
Williamson regularly had NBA stars and hip hop figures in to watch his SC Supreme squad play all over the country, “He’s
one of the top two or three most athletic players I’ve ever seen in high school basketball, period. Or in life, period” said John Wall in an interview with Ballislife.
The debate will continue to grow but the real question is which player is the better prospect ultimately'
Barrett’s Case - This dude led the Canadian U19 program to a gold medal and dropped 38 points on team USA in rout to possibly the biggest win in Canadian hoops history. Barrett is an offensive assassin capable of scoring the ball from anywhere on the hardwood. He’s really excelled against older competition and is held in high regards within the Canadian hoops landscape, Barrett is already considered the best Canadian prospect ever. Barrett’s play throughout that tournament and the EYBL solidified him as the top prospect in high school within many circles.
No one has been able to guard Barrett he’s extremely polished on the offensive end. Barrett has shown range on his jumper, shoots it well off the dribble, and finishes at the rim with either hand. Defensively the 6’7 wing has major upside and may blossom into a lockdown defender down the road.
Barrett effects the game in so many ways and one underrated skill is his ability to create scoring opportunities for others. Barrett can completely take over games or shift into playmaker and drop off dimes to teammates. When he’s in attack mode there isn’t much defenders can do at this stage to keep Barrett out the lane.
Williamson’s Case - The man- child is literally a walking highlight reel, crowds pack in early for pregame warmups just to see what insane dunk Williamson will put down next. There hasn’t been a more hyped or athletic prospect since one King James wore the Green and Gold.
Williamson also built an impressive resume ; he was named MVP of the NBPA top 100 camp, dominated the Adidas Gauntlet league in route of a championship appearance with his SC Supreme squad, as well as averaged 36 and 13 for Spartanburg Day who will be pursuing a three peat as 2A private school state champions.
Recently the Spartanburg product was invited to team USA minicamp along with other top 2018 prospects. Williamson is a beast in transition and has the ups to dunk anything he feels but that isn’t the entire story. It’s obvious he’s most effective in the paint, but Williamson has shown promise from mid range and deeper. Williamson is surprisingly nimble weaving through traffic for easy finishes, he is capable of taking defenders off the dribble as well before putting them through the rim.
If Williamson continues to develop his jump shot there is potential to be an elite player at the collegiate level and beyond. Defensively Williamson has natural shot blocking instincts and he has mastered the chase down block. The youngster has the strength and lateral quickness to guard all five positions. Ultimately only time will tell but both prospects look like future superstars at the pro level and have been treated as such. Two different players considered the best in their respective countries could take the game by storm.
We could be witnessing a future rivalry on all levels the USA and Canada look to be in good hands.