Zion Williamson and the 20 best one-and-done players of all time

Zion Williamson and the 20 best one-and-done players in college basketball history

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react against the Syracuse Orange during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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March 5, 2016: LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) warming up before the NCAA basketball game between the LSU Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. (Photo by David Blair/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by David Blair/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

18. Ben Simmons, LSU, 2015-2016

In terms of pure athletic ability, few players have clearly been the most talented player in the sport like Williamson was this season. One guy who fit that mold was Ben Simmons, who was an absolute force during his one year at LSU.

The Tigers were an incredibly entertaining team with Simmons around, who played as a forward at LSU. During his one year in college, Simmons averaged 19.2 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, 2.0 steals per game, and 0.8 blocks per game.

Despite all of the incredible things that Simmons could do on a basketball court, the Tigers didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament since the roster around him was lousy. Simmons didn’t stick around for a second shot at March Madness, jumping to the pros and being selected with the first pick that June by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers have deployed Simmons as a point guard since he came to the NBA, and after sitting out of his first season with a foot injury he has taken the league by storm. Simmons won the Rookie of the Year award last season and has taken the leap to All-Star this year, averaging 17.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, and 8.2 apg over his first 77 games.

The 76ers have become one of the most dangerous teams in basketball as a result of the sweet music Simmons is making with fellow franchise centerpiece Joel Embiid, who narrowly missed the cut for this list.