Zion Williamson's 3-Point Shooting: The Stats

What's up, basketball fanatics! Today, we're diving deep into something that's been a hot topic of discussion for a while now: Zion Williamson's 3-point shooting stats. We all know Zion is an absolute phenom when he gets to the rim. His athleticism, power, and finishing ability are otherworldly. But as the NBA game continues to evolve, the 3-point shot has become a crucial weapon for every player, especially for superstar forwards like Zion. So, how has he been doing from beyond the arc? Let's break it down, guys. We're going to look at his career numbers, how they've changed over time, and what it all means for his game and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Zion's Journey Beyond the Arc

When Zion Williamson first burst onto the scene, his 3-point game wasn't exactly his calling card. In his rookie year, he only attempted a handful of threes, and his percentage was understandably low. He was still finding his footing in the league, and understandably, the Pelicans were looking to leverage his dominant inside game. However, as he's developed, we've seen a conscious effort to expand his offensive repertoire. This means more reps in practice, more willingness to pull up from distance, and ultimately, more attempts from the 3-point line. It's a natural progression for any modern NBA player who wants to be a complete offensive threat. The analytics guys and the coaches all know the value of spacing the floor, and for a player with Zion's gravity, his ability to hit threes opens up so much more for himself and his teammates. We've seen flashes of him being a legitimate threat, hitting contested shots and knocking them down in rhythm. The raw athleticism is there, so the form and touch are definitely within reach. It's all about consistency and confidence now. His physical tools are undeniable, and with continued dedication to refining that jumper, Zion could become an even more unstoppable force. Think about it, if teams have to respect him from deep, they can't just pack the paint every single time he drives. That opens up driving lanes, kick-out opportunities, and a whole new dimension to his already terrifying offensive game. It's exciting to think about the potential, and we're going to get into the actual numbers now to see where he stands.

Career 3-Point Statistics: A Closer Look

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? Looking at Zion Williamson's career 3-point statistics, we can see a clear trend of improvement and increased volume. In his rookie season (2019-2020), Zion attempted just 1.1 threes per game and hit them at a dismal 25.0%. Not exactly eye-popping numbers, but again, he was a rookie adapting to the NBA game. Fast forward to the 2020-2021 season, and we saw a significant jump. He upped his attempts to 3.4 per game and improved his percentage to 33.3%. This was a promising sign, showing that he was working on that aspect of his game. Then came the 2021-2022 season, where he unfortunately dealt with injuries and only played in 29 games. His 3-point stats from this year were 0.8 attempts per game at 22.2%. It's tough to draw too many conclusions from a limited sample size impacted by health. The most recent completed season, 2022-2023, saw Zion attempt 2.7 threes per game and connect on 26.1% of them. While the percentage might seem low, it's important to consider the context. Many of these attempts are likely coming late in the shot clock, contested, or in situations where he's forced to create. The volume is still relatively modest compared to elite shooters, but the willingness to take them is a positive indicator of his development. We're not seeing him chucking up threes wildly; rather, it's a gradual integration into his offensive toolkit. The Pelicans' offensive schemes and the flow of the game often dictate shot selection. When Zion is healthy and aggressive driving to the basket, defenses are already scrambling, and sometimes those 3-point attempts are more opportunistic than planned. It's a delicate balance for him and the coaching staff to find the right rhythm and efficiency from deep. The key takeaway here is that he's not shying away from the shot anymore. He's comfortable enough to let it fly, and that's half the battle. The other half is making them consistently, which we'll touch on next.

Efficiency and Volume: The Balancing Act

Now, let's talk about efficiency versus volume, because these two things go hand-in-hand when we discuss Zion's 3-point stats. For a player of Zion's caliber, especially one who commands so much defensive attention, finding that sweet spot is crucial. High volume with low efficiency isn't ideal, and low volume with high efficiency doesn't unlock his full potential. What we've seen from Zion is a growing willingness to take threes (increasing volume) but the efficiency still needs to catch up. In the 2022-2023 season, his 26.1% on 2.7 attempts per game paints a picture. Compare that to a league average shooter who might shoot around 35-38% on a similar or higher volume. However, it's crucial to remember when Zion is taking these shots. Are they catch-and-shoot opportunities where he's getting set? Or are they often pull-up threes with a hand in his face after a drive? The latter are inherently more difficult shots to make. Coaches and analysts often look at metrics like eFG% (effective field goal percentage) and TS% (true shooting percentage) to get a more holistic view of scoring efficiency. While his raw 3-point percentage might not be elite yet, his overall scoring efficiency when he does score is usually very high due to his dominance inside. The goal for Zion and the Pelicans should be to increase the quality of his three-point attempts. This means getting him more catch-and-shoot looks, perhaps running him off screens for open looks, or even developing his pick-and-pop game. As his confidence grows and he gets more reps, we can expect both his volume and efficiency to climb. It's a process, and Rome wasn't built in a day, right? The fact that he's even considering taking multiple threes a game is a massive step forward from where he started. Think about the players who have drastically improved their three-point shooting over their careers; it often involves significant work in the offseason and a mental shift to embrace the shot. For Zion, the physical tools are already there. It's about refining the mechanics, building muscle memory, and developing the confidence to shoot even when a defender is closing out hard. His teammates and coaches need to continue to have faith in him, and those practice reps are gold.

What the Future Holds: Potential Impact

So, what does this all mean for Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans moving forward? If Zion can even become a respectable 3-point shooter, say in the 35-37% range on a decent volume (3-5 attempts per game), his impact on the game would be absolutely massive. For starters, it would drastically improve the Pelicans' offensive spacing. Right now, teams can often sag off Zion, daring him to shoot from deep, and then clog the paint when he drives. If he becomes a threat from three, defenders would have to guard him further out on the perimeter. This would open up driving lanes for Zion himself, making his already lethal drives even more effective. It would also create more opportunities for his teammates. With defenses spread thinner, cutters would have more space to operate, and kick-out passes would lead to more open looks for guys like CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and the rest of the squad. Imagine Zion on the wing, drawing two defenders, and then kicking it out to an open shooter – that's a nightmare scenario for any defense. Furthermore, it would add another layer to his offensive arsenal. He's already a dominant scorer in the post and a monster in transition. Adding a reliable jumper makes him a more complete offensive player, capable of scoring from all three levels. This would make him even more difficult to game plan against. We've seen players like Giannis Antetokounmpo make significant strides in their three-point shooting over their careers, and it's unlocked an entirely new level for their teams. If Zion can follow a similar trajectory, it would elevate the Pelicans into true championship contention. It’s not just about him making threes; it's about what his improved shooting unlocks for the entire offense. The potential is astronomical, guys. He has the physical gifts and the talent; it's now a matter of continued development and commitment to that outside shot. The coaching staff has a crucial role to play in designing plays that get him open looks and building his confidence through positive reinforcement and effective coaching. The journey is ongoing, and basketball fans everywhere will be watching closely to see how Zion's 3-point game evolves.

Conclusion: A Developing Threat

In conclusion, while Zion Williamson's 3-point stats aren't currently elite, the trend is positive, and the potential impact is undeniable. He's gone from rarely attempting threes to becoming more willing, and we've seen flashes of efficiency. The key for Zion will be consistency, increased volume with improved efficiency, and continued development. As he gains more experience and dedicates himself to refining his jumper, there's no reason why he can't become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. This would not only make him a more complete player but would also unlock a new level for the New Orleans Pelicans' offense, making them even more dangerous. We've seen the evolution of many superstars in this league, and Zion has all the tools to add a reliable three-point shot to his already incredible game. Keep an eye on those numbers, guys, because Zion Williamson shooting threes? That's a game-changer. It's exciting to track his progress, and we're all rooting for him to reach his full potential, which frankly, seems limitless. The future is bright, and a better Zion three-point game is a key piece of that puzzle.