The NBA draft is all about Zion Williamson.
The draft begins Thursday night with the Duke freshman projected to go first overall to the New Orleans Pelicans. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound forward was the biggest star the college level has seen in years, filling highlight reels with thunderous dunks and incomparable athleticism while becoming The Associated Press national player of the year.
Murray State point guard Ja Morant and Duke high-scoring freshman forward RJ Barrett are projected to follow Williamson in the top three picks, with the uncertainty starting with the No. 4 pick.
Other top lottery prospects include guards Jarrett Culver of Texas Tech and Cam Reddish of Duke; point guards Darius Garland of Vanderbilt and Coby White of North Carolina; and forward De'Andre Hunter from NCAA champion Virginia.
[ [RELATED COVERAGE: Duke's Williamson, Barrett top list of forwards in NBA draft] ]
There are lofty expectations for the 6 feet, 7 inch tall, 285-pound forward, who is still just 18 years old.
Yet, he says the dream of playing in the NBA began when he was in kindergarten, with his mom as the coach.