Shhhhh. Don't say anything. Just take a look at this, would you please? Are you sitting down? Good. Because you'll need some support here. This dunk is balletic, poetic, dramatic—it is the platonic ideal of basketball beauty. And it came from a junior in high school. You can gasp now.Zion Williamson is the No. 2 high school prospect, according to ESPN's recruitment rankings, and it's crystal clear why: he is operating on a level of basketball comfort without rival—maybe even in the pros. Basketball is often about ball control—making sure you're in constant manipulation, like a Steph Curry flurry of dribbles. But this dunk is beautiful for the opposite reasons.It's almost like a masterful soccer play—it's about what Williamson doesn't do with the ball that is more beautiful than what he does with it. He lets it bounce and drifts behind it in a backwards jump, allowing the ball to float down gracefully into his palm before guiding it along what looks like the natural track of the bounce and slams it over his head. It speaks to his intimate relationship with the game: this kid is in love with the ball. Here is the dunk from another angle—because honestly, a million is not enough.Zion Williamson is the TRUTH!!!! pic.twitter.com/qe8TnFWZUP
— Courtney Whitehead (@Born_Luckyy) April 1, 2017
Maybe the best part is the sound of all the parents—heck, maybe some of them are from the other team—just losing their minds at the sheer grace and power that was on display before them on a high school basketball gym. Because honestly, it's hard to believe you're seeing it even in a video.[h/t @Born_Luckyy]Zion Williamson!!!! @espnpic.twitter.com/MwzXUHN0Fd
— Courtney Whitehead (@Born_Luckyy) April 1, 2017