ACC Basketball: Top 5 players midway through 2018-19 season

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball against the kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Zion Williamson, Duke

Zion Williamson is the most entertaining player in the country. He can do it all. Zion attacks the rim better than any player in the country, he’s close to mastering the art of the chase down block, he can shoot the three ball effectively, and he can defend at the perimeter.

Oddly enough, Zion only leads Duke in one per game statistical category. He leads the Blue Devils in rebounds per game with 9.6. He’s scoring 21.2 points per game, which is second on Duke and is a stellar number against quality competition. Williamson also leads Duke in shooting percentage, as he’s finishing 66.2% from of the field goal attempts. That’s incredible considering he’s attempting over 12 shots per game.

The one thing that Zion lacks is a consistent three pointer, but if I’m not too worried about it. He’s only shooting 27.3% from three-point land, but as long as he is somewhat of a threat from beyond the arch then opposing players have to step up and guard him on the perimeter. That does wonders for spacing on the court and his ability to effectively attack the rim. Take Giannis Antetokounmpo for example. Once Giannis started shooting threes, even at only 17.2%, opposing defenders were forced to guard him at the perimeter, and that elevated his game from being a star to being an MVP candidate. All in all, Zion is a once in a generation talent, but he’s not the best player in the ACC today.