NBA Draft throwback: Zion Williamson was two-time ALL-USA player before Duke, Pelicans

With the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Zion Williamson.

It was a no-brainer selection, a pick that the basketball world had been prepared for since the middle of the Duke season when he separated himself from Blue Devils co-star R.J. Barrett.

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But perhaps people could have known even sooner.

Zion Williamson was a two-time ALL-USA First Team selection, being named to the team in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

He led Spartanburg (S.C.) Day School to three straight titles and averaged 36.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior.

But even beyond his play, his style blew up, as he amassed millions of YouTube clips and Instagram followers for his fierce dunks and athletic prowess.

Take look back at his high school days.

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 is seen against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 in action against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Chino Hills Onyeka Okongwu #21 in action against Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. The two combined for 71 points. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 is interviewed at halftime against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 sits on the bench against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 in action against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 in action against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 in action against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Jan 27, 2018; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils commit Zion Williamson looks on prior to a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Photo: Rob Kinnan, USA TODAY Sports)</p>

<p>Jan 13, 2018; Springfield, MA, USA; Spartanburg Day School, SC Griffins forward Zion Williamson (12) shoots the ball with Chino Hills High School, CA Huskies power forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) defending at Springfield College. (Photo: Gregory J. Fisher, USA TODAY Sports)</p>

<p>Jan 13, 2018; Springfield, MA, USA; Spartanburg Day School, SC Griffins forward Zion Williamson (12) dribbles the ball against Chino Hills High School, CA Huskies small guard Will Pluma (4) defending at Springfield College. (Photo: Gregory J. Fisher, USA TODAY Sports)</p>

<p>Jan 13, 2018; Springfield, MA, USA; Spartanburg Day School, SC Griffins forward Zion Williamson (12) dunks the ball against Chino Hills High School, CA Huskies at Springfield College. (Photo: Gregory J. Fisher, USA TODAY Sports)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 shoots a free throw against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 takes a jumper against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 is introduced before a game against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 takes a free throw against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 makes a pass through defenders against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>

<p>Spartanburg Day's Zion Williamson #12 drives to the hoop against Chino Hills during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Springfield,MA. Chino Hills won the game. (Photo: Gregory Payan, AP)</p>