I have been following this man child for over a year.   Last year when he was 16 he was already 6'8" jacked and dunking in everyone's face.   This year it seems he is around the same height and still dunking on everyone in sight.   He recently committed to Duke since the NBA has a rule that you have to play a year of college ball or be one year removed from High School play for some unknown reason.   Clearly Lebron and Kobe were ready for the league right out of High School.   I believe Zion is as well based on his athletic ability and his athletic movements.   Some will say he is playing lesser competition but over the summer he was on a team USA squad and also played top level AAU competition with his traveling team SC Supreme.  

What actually impresses me the most about his game is his ability to dribble right at a defender and change direction and finish at the hoop.   Other players have little ability to effectively contest his shot or ability to score.  

If you don't believe he is NBA ready right now would you say he could be a valuable resource to a Division I program right now as a 17 year old?  This beast is young for his grade but he is a full blown man.   Clearly if he was able to play college right now then a person could potentially say he could be in the NBA next year after adjusting to another system and better defenders.   

I'm not acting like being in the NBA is an easy task but just based on his movements with and without the ball I feel like he has the athleticism to adjust and not be totally neutralized.   

Here is a highlight video from some of the Team USA, high school, and AAU competition.  His blocked shots are super impressive as well.   

I believe that he would be effective in the NBA summer league and then be able to score at the NBA level next year if he didn't have to spend a year in the NCAA not getting paid.   Personally I don't think it makes sense for a player like this risk injury not being paid.   The other option would be for him to go to Europe or China and make money for a year playing professionally but most players are opting to go to the NCAA since it is a more traditional route.  If he went to China he could make over a million playing next season.   

I wish him luck and will be following his progress.   

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