From All-Rookie team, to All-Star reserve, to All-Star starter – Zion Williamson top accolades continue to accelerate since he was picked No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by New Orleans. The Pelicans’ forward added the latter honor to his ever-expanding professional resume Thursday, when TNT’s broadcast announced that Williamson is joining Nikola Jokic and LeBron James in the Western Conference’s All-Star starting frontcourt. The West guards are Steph Curry and Luka Doncic.
At 22 years old, Williamson is the youngest All-Star starter this year, with the East quintet being Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Williamson was an All-Star reserve in 2020-21, the previous season he played. So far in 2022-23, he’s averaging 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals. The 2023 All-Star Game is Sunday, Feb. 19, tipping off at 7 p.m. Central from the Utah Jazz’s home arena in Salt Lake City.
In the weeks prior to being sidelined Jan. 2 at Philadelphia with a hamstring injury, Williamson posted career highs in a wide range of categories, including points (43 vs. Minnesota on Dec. 28), rebounds (tied his best with 15 at San Antonio on Dec. 2), assists (nine at Phoenix on Dec. 17) and steals (42 vs. Phoenix on Dec. 11).