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Nigel Williams-Goss – 6’3″ Point Guard, Gonzaga University, 22 Years Old
Nigel Williams-Goss enters the NBA Draft as a potential second round pick. Prior to transferring to Gonzaga University in 2015, the 6’3″ point guard spent two seasons playing for the University of Washington. After redshirting his first year with Gonzaga, Williams-Goss led the Bulldogs to their first ever Final Four and National Championship appearance.
Williams-Goss put up 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49% from the floor and 37% from three point range last season. He was the undisputed leader of the best team in school history, leading the Bulldogs in minutes, points, assists, and steals. Williams-Goss hopes his high basketball IQ, winning reputation, and extraordinary leadership will be enough to earn him a second round selection on Thursday night.
Strengths
With excellent ball handling skills, a high basketball IQ, and natural floor general instincts, Williams-Goss is a point guard in the truest sense of the position. He knows how to control an offense and take charge when necessary. His leadership was off the charts last year as he led Gonzaga just minutes short of a national championship.
Williams-Goss brings a certain level of toughness, control, and intensity that have earned him the reputation as a hard-nosed, old school point guard who keeps an offense under control. His 2.18 assist to turnover ratio proves his efficiency as a facilitator.
At 6’3″, Nigel Williams-Goss is excellent at using his size against opposing point guards. He excels at operating out of the post and finishing in the paint with his deadly floater.
With a 37% clip from downtown, Williams-Goss is a much improved shooter. While not an elite shooter, he should be viewed as above average with the potential to keep getting better.
Weaknesses
The main downside to Williams-Goss as a prospect is his athleticism. He isn’t quick, doesn’t move well laterally, and has a limited vertical. He lacks the explosiveness to get by defenders and score in both the half court and transition, which puts a ceiling on Williams-Goss’ future at the NBA level.
Defensively, his slow foot speed and lateral movement will prevent him from keeping up with faster, more athletic guards. Despite solid size and the ability to use his body well, it’s tough to see the Gonzaga product developing into anything more than a below average defender.
NBA Potential
The new pace-and-space offense in the NBA doesn’t seem to fit Williams-Goss’ skill set well. He comes across as more of an old school, ground and pound point guard. That being said, his ability to run an offense should be very appealing to teams. Williams-Goss has all the tools to develop into a very good backup point guard for a contender one day: high basketball IQ, superior ball handling, floor general instincts, winning reputation, etc.
He won’t be an elusive scorer off the bench, but the Northwest native could very well become a very dependable, efficient backup point guard in the NBA.
NBA Player Comparison
Nigel Williams-Goss is an intriguing prospect who resembles both Matthew Dellavedova and Andre Miller. Both players are tough, physical point guards with above average size. At his best, Williams-Goss possesses the intensity of Dellavedova and the floor command and efficiency of Miller.
With Nigel Williams-Goss, think of a superb leader who takes care of the basketball, doesn’t try to do too much, and makes everyone around him better. He is a high character individual who may have a future in this league if his collegiate skills transfer over well to the NBA and his athletic limitations are mitigated.
Look for Nigel Williams-Goss to go in the late second round on draft night, and be sure to stay updated with our complete coverage of the 2017 NBA Draft!
