Hall of Famer Gary Payton drew a striking comparison between Zion Williamson and his former Seattle SuperSonics teammate, Shawn Kemp, calling the Pelicans forward “the young Shawn Kemp of the NBA.”
The statement was made during a recent interview with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, where Payton acknowledged the physical similarities and explosive style shared by the two high-flying forwards.
“Very much,” Payton said when asked if Zion reminded him of Kemp. “Me and Shawn talk about this all the time. That’s the young Shawn Kemp of the NBA.”
Kemp, a six-time All-Star known for his thunderous dunks and unmatched athleticism during the 1990s, became one of the most electrifying players of his generation with the Sonics.
Payton, who formed a lethal alley-oop duo with Kemp, said he sees that same blend of power and vertical dominance in Williamson, now in his fifth NBA season.
Williamson, 24, has drawn comparisons to Kemp since his days at Duke, with both players boasting similar builds, above-the-rim play, and crowd-pleasing finishes.
Despite injury setbacks, Zion has averaged 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over 214 career games while shooting nearly 59 percent from the field.
His 2024-25 season saw him post 24.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 56.7 percent shooting across 30 appearances for New Orleans.
Both players have dealt with injuries that impacted their availability, but their peak moments highlight their ability to tilt the floor with unmatched explosiveness.
The New Orleans Pelicans, however, have continued to struggle despite Zion’s presence, finishing the 2024-25 regular season at 21–61, placing 14th in the Western Conference.
