Equilibrium density profiles of a hard-sphere suspension in a gravitat
ional field are calculated using Monte Carlo simulations. For increasi
ng gravity there is a discontinuous freezing transition induced by the
container wall where few crystalline layers are spontaneously formed
at the bottom of the sample. This crystalline part then grows continuo
usly as the gravitational field is further enhanced. The results are c
ompared with density functional theory of freezing where a weighted de
nsity approximation is used. While good overall agreement of the later
ally averaged profile and the lateral crystallinity is achieved, densi
ty functional theory yields a discontinuous crystal growth via layerin
g transitions.