Before Zion Williamson starred at Duke and went on to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans forward played high school basketball at Spartanburg Day School (South Carolina). While Williamson had the attention of the basketball world for his ridiculous skills in a defensive end’s body, he also had a high school hoops moment that went viral because it was very funny.
In 2017, Williamson and Spartanburg Day School played against Oakbrook Prep, and a 5’6″ eighth-grader named Bryson Bishop was tasked with guarding Williamson.
Bishop took that challenge with confidence and was even clapping at Williamson, who couldn’t believe it and had a hilarious reaction.
Williamson talked about the moment during The Old Man & The Three podcast in 2021 and said that he has “nothing but respect for [Bishop] for doing that.”
“Man, I’ll never forget that. That was our rival and it’s like third late or fourth quarter. We’re up 30 at this point. So, we come out of a timeout, and he starts walking over to me. I’m like ‘No way. You’re not about to do this.’ Amnd he comes over and he starts clapping. If you saw me, I looked to the right, my principal and our track and field coach. I looked at those two and I was like ‘Are they serious?’
What people don’t know is, I’ve got a lot of respect for him for doing that. His teammates were so out of it that he was just trying to give them energy. And for him to be the one to come over there and do that, I’ve got nothing but respect for him for doing that.”
Fast-forward to Wednesday, and Williamson and Bishop met up before the Pelicans‘ preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks in New Orleans (Williamson sat out the game while dealing with an ankle injury).
This is great stuff:
Two old friends: @Zionwilliamson and Bryson Bishop (@B_P_B_2) met up before tonight’s game
pic.twitter.com/ZIml9zfQzB — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 14, 2022
All love @Zionwilliamson
@B_P_B_2 pic.twitter.com/IAUYl371my — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 14, 2022
Bishop tweeted, “Coolest moment in my life for sure! I appreciate the opportunity to do this.”
Coolest moment in my life for sure! I appreciate the opportunity to do this @Zionwilliamson @PelicansNBA https://t.co/Lsh5lanhmg
— Bryson Bishop (@B_P_B_2) October 14, 2022
Bishop turned into a very good basketball player himself; he’s a freshman for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers after winning two state titles for the Spartanburg Christian Academy.
[Photo Credit: Hoop Diamonds]
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.