Player Profile:
“In a league thriving on defensive versatility, Williams has a lot of intrigue in the lottery discussion. He’s mobile enough to stretch out to the perimeter and has the length needed to bother shots from virtually anywhere on the court. He has blocked 3-pointers just as effortlessly as interior shots at times and his aptness in rotations underneath the rim have made him the cornerstone for A&M on that side of the ball.
Williams’ offensive improvements are what have pushed him over the top, though, in regards to draft stock. He possesses a quick, fluid release from mid-range — where he’s hitting at a 48.3 percent on 2-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math.com. His range hasn’t extended beyond the arc yet, but that trend is beneficial given the state of NBA basketball.
That, combined with solid finishing ability at the rim and fluid rim-running in transition, makes Williams a strong energy piece to plug in at the four. He’s NBA-ready from a physical standpoint, and has the hustle and willingness to learn needed to excel at the next level of play.” — 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0.
Outside Opinion:
“For starters, he’s the best rim protector in the 2017 draft class. As a freshman, he’s blocked 4.1 shots per 40 minutes for the Aggies while posting an 11.2 percent block rate. He has excellent length (7-foot-4 wingspan) and athleticism that allows him to challenge a significant number of shots on the interior. Having a player who can defend the rim — the place where all shots must eventually make it too — is still vitally important and it’s Williams’ best skill.
Williams is also a developing offensive piece who still gets most of his baskets on offensive boards, as a roll man or via dump-offs. That’s still been enough for him to average 18.8 points per 40 minutes this season. He’s shown some interesting promise from the mid-range and has attempted nine 3-pointers, although he’s yet to make one.” — Chris Stone in FanSided’s NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 14.
Team Fit:
This is a Blazers team that needs rim protection long term, and although Jusuf Nurkic is a nice fix at the five spot, Williams provides an tantalizing fit alongside him at the four spot. With that previously mentioned 7-4 wingspan, Williams can block shots at an impressively high clip. He contests shots at a high level all the way out to the 3-point line, and boasts the type of athletic tools that should make him an elite defensive prospect from day one.
Offensively, Williams’ improved shooting is a highly intriguing asset. He’s not shooting 3-balls at a high level — yet — but has some functionality as a pick-and-pop scorer in the mid-range game, something that could work alongside Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
That, combined with the effort he brings on the boards, makes him a strong get at 11.