Zion Williamson selected to 2021 All-Star Game as Western Conference reserve

Zion Williamson has been selected as a Western Conference reserve to the 2021 All-Star Game.

The growing 20-year-old NBA superstar will be joining Chris Paul, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis on the Western Conference bench, with LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic having already been named starters last week.

While the New Orleans Pelicans (13-17) have not enjoyed similar success, Williamson has not failed to live up to the hype, improving significantly upon his 24-game rookie campaign.

Zion is averaging 25.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and not only has his proficiency (61.6 FG%, 71.2 FT%) taken a step forward but his playmaking too. This is clearly evidenced in this month’s statistics where Zion is averaging 4.3 assists to go along with a 65.9 FG% and a 77.0 FT%. For good measure, he’s also made 4 of 9 from three-point range here in February.

It is important to note that when Williamson has dished five or more assists in a game this season, the Pelicans are undefeated, sitting a perfect 6-0.

Williamson is the ninth player in New Orleans franchise history to be chosen an All-Star, and he’s one of the youngest ever to be honored with the prestigious NBA accomplishment.

One year ago, Brandon Ingram made his first All-Star appearance, representing the Pelicans in the 2020 All-Star Game as a Western Conference reserve. While Ingram wasn’t selected by the coaches this time round, there’s a chance he could be added at a later date as an injury replacement because his numbers are incredibly identical to last year’s campaign.

The seven Western Conference All-Star Game reserves were selected by the 15 head coaches from the conference. The coaches had to cast votes for two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional wild card spots from either position group. Per the rules, they were not allowed to vote for players from their own team.

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