Pelicans Win 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, Expected to Select Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans will almost certainly welcome former Duke forward Zion Williamson aboard after they won the 2019 NBA draft's No. 1 overall pick via the lottery Tuesday.

Williamson is arguably the best draft prospect since LeBron James: According to Sports Reference, the ex-Blue Devil has the highest player efficiency rating in Division I men's hoops since record-keeping began in 2009-2010.

He scored 22.6 points per game on 68.0 percent shooting and averaged 8.9 rebounds as well.

The 18-year-old also excelled on the defensive end with 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. No defensive play was more impressive than this otherworldly block on Virginia forward De'Andre Hunter:

As an added bonus, the 6'7", 285-pound big man made a respectable 33.8 percent of his three-pointers.

Williamson shot below 50 percent from the field on just three occasions during his college career, and the three losses in which he played full games came by a combined seven points.

The Spartanburg, South Carolina, native is one the game's most exciting players, college or pro. He's a human highlight reel much like James, Michael Jordan or Dominique Wilkins:

NBADraft.net's pro comparison is Charles Barkley/Blake Griffin. Conner McLeod of the Duke Chronicle compared Williamson to Griffin and Shaquille O'Neal.

The forward could lift the Pelicans to greater heights, though it remains to be seen what New Orleans will do in response to superstar big man Anthony Davis' January trade request.

Regardless of what happens, all eyes will be on the Pelicans this offseason.