Tennessee’s Grant Williams had a phenomenal 2018-2019 run with the Volunteers. The junior forward displayed a complete game, averaging 18.8 points on 56.4 percent shooting. Outside of scoring, he put up 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. That balanced stat line shows Williams’ ability to do it all. Come June 20, Grant Williams will likely be taken in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
NBA Draft Player Profile for Grant Williams
Grant Williams’ Upside
Williams, as the complete player that he is, could make whichever team drafts him very happy. He has the potential to lock down another team’s star player, as seen in this year’s NCAA Tournament. On top of that, he can score using his 6’7”, 236-pounds size to bully his way to the rim. Williams is also comfortable pulling up for a jump shot from 10-15 feet.
Grant Williams’ Downside
The only real fault that could hurt Grant Williams’ draft prospects is his three-point shooting. While he can knock down the odd wide-open three, (he shot 32.6 percent from deep on just 1.2 attempts per game) shooting from deep is definitely not Williams’ strong suit.
Most of Williams’ scoring comes from inside the painted area, which doesn’t help his team stretch the floor while he’s on it. In the NBA, despite his craftiness, he might not be able to score inside so easily whilst facing off against seven-footers.
Williams, unlike fellow college junior, Rui Hachimura, doesn’t show all that much potential for growth. While, like Hachimura, Williams improved each year he played, the improvements weren’t nearly as drastic. Teams will reach on freshmen and international prospects based on their potential. Nearly 21-years-old, Williams doesn’t have all that high of a ceiling.
NBA Comparison
Grant Williams’ game bears a striking resemblance to that of Draymond Green. The Golden State Warriors’ All-Star forward is almost the exact same size as Williams, being listed at 6’7” and 230-pounds. His playing style is also quite similar. Green, like Williams, is a defensive-minded forward who can score inside, but also knock down the odd three-pointer.
Although Green was significantly less efficient than Williams during his college years (44.9 percent from the field in his senior year) his stats were almost identical. During his senior year, Green recorded a well-rounded 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.
Now, Green is a three-time NBA champion, three-time All-Star, and NBA Defensive Player of the Year. If Grant Williams, in the draft, lands with the right team, his career path could be very similar.
Draft Prospects
Right now, Grant Williams is a draft prospect expected to be taken in the later stages of the first round. Unless he has a really good meeting or workout with a team in the lottery, don’t expect Williams to be taken earlier than 15th. Chances are, he’ll land somewhere between 20th and 30th.
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