Perhaps the most exciting NBA story of the weekend was the emergence of Celtics forward Grant Williams, who notched a career-high 27 points Sunday.
The former Tennessee standout was less heralded than other players he was on the floor with like reigning NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as star Boston teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However, he still managed to lead the game in scoring in an effort to eliminate the Bucks.
Williams broke Steph Curry’s record for most 3-pointers attempted in a Game 7, and he also tied Curry’s record for most shots made from beyond the arc in a Game 7. It was all incredibly unexpected, and also equally rewarding.
The record for most 3-point attempts in a Game 7 is 15, from Steph Curry. Grant Williams is currently at 15 before the end of the third quarter.
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) May 15, 2022
The performance was especially notable because Williams wasn’t exactly known for his shooting during his time in college. Although he showed some promise as a player whose versatility would translate well to the pros, his jumper wasn’t his calling card.
He shot less than 30% from beyond the arc, connecting on just 0.3 attempts per game. He fared okay during the shooting drills while participating in the NBA draft combine, but he wasn’t anything special. Williams missed the first 25 attempts he had from 3-point range in his career, and it didn’t look pretty.
Williams didn’t project as someone whose jump shot efficiency would rank in the 97th percentile, per Synergy, once he turned pro. However, that’s exactly what he became, and he connected on more than 40% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in 2021-22.
So how do we find guys like Williams in future drafts? Are they hiding in plain sight? What else is needed besides for height, athleticism, and shooting touch?
Grant Williams just tied the @NBA record for most 3s in a Game 7.
No one could have expected this from him, especially after he missed his first 25 3FG attempts of his career.
But there was one thing from his pre-draft workout that may have been a clue this was coming:
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— Bret Burchard 🎊 (@BretBurchard) May 15, 2022
Williams’ ascension was unexpected, but those who know him rave about his character. It’s surely something the Celtics liked about him when they opted to select him in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft.
Some facts about Williams: He was once nationally ranked at chess. He also knows how to at least half a dozen instruments, including violin and clarinet. He is passionate about outer space.
Although those experience lead to anecdotes that may impress teams before the draft, what you do that matters much more than what you say.
As part of the draft workout, we had each player take turns shooting a series of 50 3s and recorded their scores.
I was the rebounder.
Grant was the ONLY player of the 60+ that summer to help me rebound.
The lesson: Give it long enough and character will eventually win out.
— Bret Burchard 🎊 (@BretBurchard) May 15, 2022
According to Bret Burchard, who has served as head coach of the Suns’ G League affiliate in Northern Arizona, Williams was a standout during pre-draft workouts. But once again, it’s not because he was knocking down shots off the dribble or anything crazy like that.
It’s because Williams was the only player who offered to help Burchard to rebound the missed shots during the workout. That showed a sense of work ethic and accountability necessary to help players better once they turn pro.
Lots of players are incredibly talented, but sometimes lack the drive and the desire to get better. Williams showed, even if people weren’t looking and the workout wasn’t televised, something different.
That, in no small part, is one of the reasons Williams has made it to where he is now. These are the types of things to pay attention to when other prospects come in for workouts in the future, too.
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