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NCAA Basketball: Zion still leads Player of the Year race despite injury

By Brian Rauf

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half of the game at Purcell Pavilion on January 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Duke won 83-61. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half of the game at Purcell Pavilion on January 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Duke won 83-61. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils drives for a dunk against the Boston College Eaglesduring their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils drives for a dunk against the Boston College Eaglesduring their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1) Zion Williamson, PF, Duke

Stats: 21.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.2 spg
LW: 1

The fact that Williamson is still the clear choice for No. 1 despite the games he has missed (and potentially could miss moving forward) is a testament to just how dominant the star freshman has been all year long.

No player in the country has been as dominant as him since the start of conference play. He ranks in the top five nationally in effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage, and two-point field goal percentage. That is not a surprise given his size, once-in-a-generation athleticism, and ability to attack the rim.

But he’s one of the country’s best players in virtually every category. Williamson ranks 21st in offensive rating, 50th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 25th in steal rate.

Next. Predicting landing spots for top 15 uncommitted 2019 prospects. dark

It has been a formality for a while now and, assuming none of the other players on this list go berserk over the final week and a half of the season, Zion will become the third true freshman ever to win the award (Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis).

It’s the only fitting end for what has been The Season of Zion.

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