Tag: Mark Williams

Mark Williams posted some eye-popping measurements at the draft combine

The former Duke center impressed those on hand with his measurements at the combine in Chicago.

The NBA draft combine tipped off on Wednesday as 80-plus prospects compete in various on-court activities in front of scouts, coaches and executives in Chicago, Illinois.

The combine features 5-on-5 games, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, measurements and other related on-court exercises. Prospects on the first day had their measurements taken and also participated in 3-point drills among other drills.

Of course, the measurement portion of the testing often takes front and center, especially when a player posts a monstrous number in a given drill or workout.

On Wednesday, it was Duke center Mark Williams that stood out.

Williams measured in at 7 feet, 2 inches in shoes with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, the longest among all players so far. For some context, Williams was listed at 7 feet, 1-inch last season by Duke. He also had the highest standing reach at 9 feet, 9 inches.

He weighed in at 242 pounds with only 5.4% body fat.

The 117-inch standing reach by Williams is up there with some notable players, and was even higher than the likes of Mo Bamba (115.5 inches), Rudy Gobert (115 inches) and JaVale McGee (114.5 inches), according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. He was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and ranked fifth in the country in total blocked shots (110).

He has the skills every team covets on defense between his ability to control the paint and rebound with his size and wingspan. He certainly impressed scouts and executives on hand at the combine purely on his physical measurements alone.

Of course, the testing results only tell half of the story with Williams. He can also operate well out of pick and rolls and run the floor for his size. Players can often help themselves in certain areas of the combine and it is clear that Williams did just that on Wednesday.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Projected first-round pick Mark Williams declares for NBA draft

Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

Duke Blue Devils sophomore Mark Williams on Monday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. He was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, and ranked fifth in the country in total blocked shots (110).

The 7-foot-1 center boasts a 7-foot-5 wingspan and has the skills every team covets on defense between his ability to control the paint and rebound. He is widely projected to be a lottery pick and should be able to help fortify teams’ frontcourts at the next level.

Williams, who turned 20 in December, will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning by participating in private workouts with teams. He also figures to be a strong candidate to earn an invitation to compete in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp next month.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Duke’s Mark Williams is the breakout star of March Madness, and he could become a top 10 pick

Duke’s Mark Williams is one player you need to pay attention to during the Final Four.

Although Duke’s Paolo Banchero gets more attention, sophomore big man Mark Williams is one player you need to pay attention to during the Final Four.

After moving into the starting lineup for the Blue Devils as a freshman last season, Williams impressed while stepping into a larger role. There were very high expectations for Williams coming into his second collegiate campaign, and I think he exceeded them at every stop.

Williams is one of the players who impressed me most during the first weekend of March Madness. However, since then, he has only become more and more dominant. Although I projected him in the lottery in my latest mock draft, he has earned even more fans around the league since then.

He leads the tournament in total dunks (13) recorded thus far, and some of the looks are so ferocious that defenders are assuredly still terrified. Overall, he is shooting an absurd 22-for-24 (91.7%) at the rim during March Madness.

But unlike previous tournament darlings like UCLA’s Johnny Juzang, he is doing things he has always done, and it’s not just a hot run. Among the nearly 2,000 players to finish at least 200 possessions this season, per Synergy, Williams is the most efficient (1.31 PPP) player in all of college basketball.

From an offensive perspective, the big man has good touch on his free throws (86th percentile among big men), which means that his jumper could develop well as he progresses.

He also fares well in advanced metrics like box plus-minus. He does this while maintaining a very low usage rate, suggesting that his game can translate well to the pros. As we have seen during his time playing alongside future pros at Duke, Williams doesn’t need the offense to run through him for him to make a positive impact on the game. Williams is a pro-ready big man in every sense of the word.

One thing that excites me about Williams is that he rarely makes mistakes. He currently has the second-lowest turnover percentage (12.2%) among 7-footers in college basketball.

Since 2008, Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes (who was selected No. 8 overall in the 2019 NBA draft) are the only other high-major underclassman with a turnover rate below 18.0% to record an effective field goal percentage above 70.0% in the same season.

Williams also shows intelligence on the other end of the floor, as he rarely commits fouls.

His block-to-foul ratio (1.4) ranked fourth-best throughout the full season among all high-major players who logged at least 150 minutes. Then, that rate (2.7) has been even better during the tournament. Duke seldom sent opponents to the free-throw line in the minutes Williams was on the floor, and their defense has allowed the second-lowest free-throw rate in college basketball.

On defense, Williams is one of the most productive contributors that we have seen in college basketball.

Before this season, only four players had a defensive rebound percentage above 20%, block percentage above 10%, and overall box plus-minus above 11.5 throughout their college careers: Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Anthony Davis. None were selected below the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA draft, and Williams has now reached those elite thresholds.

I’m not suggesting Williams will have the same type of career that Towns, Embiid, and Davis have had. But he has all the makings of someone who will be a good pro in the NBA.

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Aggregate NBA mock draft 4.0: Duke’s AJ Griffin is soaring back into the top tier

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

In order to help us get a better sense of where all of the projected top prospects in the class stand as of right now, we compiled mock drafts from Draft Express (ESPN), Aran Smith (NBADraft.net), Sam Vecenie (The Athletic), Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), Chad Ford (NBA Big Board), Krysten Peek (Yahoo), Matt Babcock (Basketball News) as well as USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win.

Please note that these rankings reflect the composite score in order to get a feel for consensus, not our own opinion. Predictions for a first overall pick earned a player 58 points while the second overall pick earned 57 points, the third overall earned 56 points, and so on.

AJ Griffin (Duke), Alondes Williams (Wake Forrest), Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State), Orlando Robinson (Fresno State), Walker Kessler (Fresno State), Justin Lewis (Marquette), Christian Braun (Kansas), and Tari Eason (LSU) have improved their draft stock the most since our most recent update last month.\

The most notable prospects who made their debut on our rankings were Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky), David Roddy (Colorado State), and Jaylin Williams (Arkansas).

Meanwhile, the top prospects who were not included in any of these recent mock drafts are Daimion Collins (Kentucky), Alex Fudge (LSU), Justin Moore (Villanova), Darius Days (LSU), Jared Rhoden (Seton Hall), Tre Mitchell (Texas), Dawson Garcia (North Carolina), and more.

Otherwise, you can learn the latest updates on every single prospect who has been included in recent mock drafts by scrolling below.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Aggregate NBA mock draft 4.0: Duke’s AJ Griffin is soaring back into the top tier

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

In order to help us get a better sense of where all of the projected top prospects in the class stand as of right now, we compiled mock drafts from Draft Express (ESPN), Aran Smith (NBADraft.net), Sam Vecenie (The Athletic), Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), Chad Ford (NBA Big Board), Krysten Peek (Yahoo), Matt Babcock (Basketball News) as well as USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win.

Please note that these rankings reflect the composite score in order to get a feel for consensus, not our own opinion. Predictions for a first overall pick earned a player 58 points while the second overall pick earned 57 points, the third overall earned 56 points, and so on.

AJ Griffin (Duke), Alondes Williams (Wake Forrest), Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State), Orlando Robinson (Fresno State), Walker Kessler (Fresno State), Justin Lewis (Marquette), Christian Braun (Kansas), and Tari Eason (LSU) have improved their draft stock the most since our most recent update last month.\

The most notable prospects who made their debut on our rankings were Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky), David Roddy (Colorado State), and Jaylin Williams (Arkansas).

Meanwhile, the top prospects who were not included in any of these recent mock drafts are Daimion Collins (Kentucky), Alex Fudge (LSU), Justin Moore (Villanova), Darius Days (LSU), Jared Rhoden (Seton Hall), Tre Mitchell (Texas), Dawson Garcia (North Carolina), and more.

Otherwise, you can learn the latest updates on every single prospect who has been included in recent mock drafts by scrolling below.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Jabari Smith rising in latest projections of every pick

Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. highlighted the prospects on the rise in the latest Rookie Wire Mock Draft.

With the 2021-22 basketball season in full swing, scouts and front-office executives have had an extended look at the next wave of prospects set to enter the NBA.

Prior to the beginning of the season, Duke forward Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren dominated the conversation atop most draft boards. However, the top of the draft looks to be changing with Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. emerging in a big way this season.

Rookie Wire took a look at the next rookie class and projected every pick based on the latest information at hand. Of course, with much of the season left to play, these rankings will change but here is how we see things at the moment.

Note: The order of the draft was pulled from Tankathon as of Jan. 19. The 2022 draft may only have 58 picks after the Bucks and Heat were stripped of their second-round picks by the NBA.

Aggregate NBA mock draft 3.0: Jabari Smith leaps ahead of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren for No. 1

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

In order to help us get a better sense of where all of the projected top prospects in the class stand as of right now, we compiled mock drafts from Draft Express (ESPN), Aran Smith (NBADraft.net), Sam Vecenie (The Athletic), Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), Jeremy Woo (Sports Illustrated), Krysten Peek (Yahoo), Matt Babcock (Basketball News) as well as USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win.

Please note that these rankings reflect the composite score in order to get a feel for consensus, not our own opinion. Predictions for a first overall pick earned a player 58 points while the second overall pick earned 57 points, the third overall earned 56 points, and so on.

Johnny Davis (Wisconsin), Jeremy Sochan (Baylor), Harrison Ingram (Stanford), EJ Liddell (Ohio State), Wendell Moore (Duke), Blake Wesley (Notre Dame), and Walker Kessler (Auburn) have improved their draft stock the most since our most recent update last month.

The most notable prospects making their debut on our rankings are Tari Eason (LSU), Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown), Dereon Seabron (NC State), Christian Braun (Kansas), Trevion Williams (Purdue) and Orlando Robinson (Fresno State).

Some of the top prospects who were not included in any of these most recent mock drafts include Matthew Cleveland (Florida State), Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona), Max Abmas (Oral Roberts), Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Alex Fudge (LSU), Buddy Boeheim (Syracuse), Josh Minott (Memphis) and Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall).

Otherwise, you can learn the latest updates on every single prospect who has been included in recent mock drafts by scrolling below.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Aggregate NBA mock draft 3.0: Jabari Smith leaps ahead of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren for No. 1

The best prospects in the world are all competing for the top spot in the 2022 NBA draft and it is hard to sort how everyone is stacking up.

In order to help us get a better sense of where all of the projected top prospects in the class stand as of right now, we compiled mock drafts from Draft Express (ESPN), Aran Smith (NBADraft.net), Sam Vecenie (The Athletic), Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), Jeremy Woo (Sports Illustrated), Krysten Peek (Yahoo), Matt Babcock (Basketball News) as well as USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win.

Please note that these rankings reflect the composite score in order to get a feel for consensus, not our own opinion. Predictions for a first overall pick earned a player 58 points while the second overall pick earned 57 points, the third overall earned 56 points, and so on.

Johnny Davis (Wisconsin), Jeremy Sochan (Baylor), Harrison Ingram (Stanford), EJ Liddell (Ohio State), Wendell Moore (Duke), Blake Wesley (Notre Dame), and Walker Kessler (Auburn) have improved their draft stock the most since our most recent update last month.

The most notable prospects making their debut on our rankings are Tari Eason (LSU), Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown), Dereon Seabron (NC State), Christian Braun (Kansas), Trevion Williams (Purdue) and Orlando Robinson (Fresno State).

Some of the top prospects who were not included in any of these most recent mock drafts include Matthew Cleveland (Florida State), Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona), Max Abmas (Oral Roberts), Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Alex Fudge (LSU), Buddy Boeheim (Syracuse), Josh Minott (Memphis) and Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall).

Otherwise, you can learn the latest updates on every single prospect who has been included in recent mock drafts by scrolling below.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

2022 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: Debut rankings of the top 101 prospects

Let’s be honest. Ranking the best NBA draft prospects is a fool’s errand. But evaluating this class is an especially challenging assignment.

Let’s be honest. Ranking the best NBA draft prospects is a fool’s errand. But evaluating this class is an especially challenging assignment.

One of the top pre-season prospects (Patrick Baldwin Jr.) is playing for a mid-major program that has just two wins so far this season. Other top prospects (AJ Griffin and Peyton Watson) are not getting much playing time for their high-major programs. Meanwhile, guard Jean Montero is playing in the inaugural Overtime Elite league. How do we compare his productivity to other prospects? I’m frankly not sure.

But nevertheless, my big board exists. Rather than going small, I decided to blow it up and do the opposite. Why did I go ahead and rank 101 prospects if this class has been so challenging to evaluate? There are two distinct reasons.

One is that I’m absolutely crazy and get a very fulfilling satisfaction with the completion of a mock draft and big board because it feels complete. It looks awesome seeing as many names as I can fit on one article, even if the science behind the rankings is a bit inconclusive.

The other reason is that as I make more big boards throughout the year, it’s interesting to track the progress (and regression) of certain prospects. I am inevitably wrong about most of these placements! But this article serves as a barometer for where I feel certain players are at in their development right now.

Note that several notable prospects (e.g. freshmen Max Christie, Matthew Cleveland, Nolan Hickman, Hunter Sallis, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Jeremy Sochan, Kobe Bufkin) were excluded because I expect them to go back to school to improve their draft stock.

More likely than not, some of those players will declare for the 2022 NBA draft. When that happens, I obviously will not have them outside of my top 101.

Until then, as we prepare to turn the calendar into a new year, here are the debut rankings for 101 of my favorite prospects.

All stats are accurate as of Dec. 14 and are from Sports-Reference unless noted otherwise.