NBA Draft Profiles: Jordan Williams, Maryland

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Stats: 16.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Age: 20, sophomore

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 250 lb
• Official: 6'7.75" (no shoes), 6'9" (with shoes), 7'0.25" (wingspan), 8'10.5" (reach), 247 lb

Strengths: Williams' most NBA ready skill right now is his ability to rebound the ball. He's not an explosive leaper by any stretch of the imagination, but he's a strong kid that understands how to use his body to get position. Williams has a terrific motor going to the offensive glass, and while he is just 6'9" in shoes, he does have a wingspan beyond seven feet. On the defensive glass, he understands how to box out and is aggressive in chasing down rebounds out of his area. Williams really improved his post game as a sophomore, becoming a more efficient player despite having an offense centered around him. His game is almost entirely centered around the paint, and while he is limited in what he can do with his back-to-the-basket, he is effective. Williams establishes and holds position well, he's got a very soft touch around the rim, and he knows how to muscle through defenders on the block.

Weaknesses: Williams is one of the "worst" athletes in this draft. (I put worst in quotations because, at 6'9" and 247 lb, Williams had a 30.5" vertical.) He's not very explosive and he's not going to finish above the rim all that often. That lack of explosiveness hurts his potential to be a post-scorer at the next level, as Williams doesn't have any clearly defined go-to move. He's at his best when he can establish position and use his strength to muscle a shot up over his defender. That isn't going to work as well in the NBA where everyone will have his size and strength. Williams also lacks a face-up game, and it doesn't readily appear like one will develop anytime soon. He doesn't shoot from beyond about eight feet, and his 51.6 FT% doesn't exactly scream 'shooting stroke'. Another area Williams struggles is as a passer. He doesn't appear to have a great feel for the game.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Nazr Mohammed. Nazr has never gotten much credit in his NBA career, but he’s a gritty center who has always gotten the job done regardless of team or situation as a predominant backup. Williams is a perennial ‘banger’ in the paint in that mold who can get you inside scoring, rebounds, but is a tad undersized for the position, but could make up for it with strength.


• Worst Case Scenario: Sean May. Another undersized, slightly hefty player who had a great motor. May’s NBA career was derailed by injury, but before then he was having a decent career as an area rebounder and post banger. ‘Poor man’s Kevin Love’ might due, as he doesn’t have a great face up jumper or refined offensive game quite yet.

Outlook: The biggest criticism on Williams once the season ended was his lack of explosiveness and his lackluster conditioning. In the nearly three months since then, Williams has completely transformed his body, working his way into shape. There are also reports that he has already put in significant work on his jumper. He will still have a long way to go -- and he likely won't every be considered a great leaper -- but the fact that he has gotten himself to this point says two things to me. For starters, it tells you that, when he has too, Williams is willing to get to work. Its not easy to change your body like that, so clearly he's been focusing on his diet and what he does in the gym. On the other hand, if it is that easy for you to shed weight and get into shape, and it only take a couple of months of shooting drills to improve your jumper, what does that say about the amount of work you put in prior? Yes, Williams should be commended for busting his tail to improve his draft stock. But once the draft has happened, will Williams continue to be this diligent of a worker, or will he return to his previous habits?

Draft Range: Early to Mid 2nd Round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Williams is one of the few true low-post players in the draft, and a terrific rebounder to boot. He was very productive in the ACC this year, but still flew mostly under the radar. A month ago it was virtually unanimous that he'd be a second-round pick. But the more that NBA scouts have gone back to the tape, the more their attitude has begun to change. Combine that with word out of Las Vegas, where he's working out, that he's already dropped weight and teams are starting to give him a legitimate look in the first round. Another year in school would likely guarantee a spot for Williams in the first. But in this draft, he may get there anyway."


• Draft Express: "Williams has made great strides in productivity with an entire college offense built around him, and has placed himself on the radar for being an NBA prospect. That being said, he still has a way to go to diversify his offensive game to show that he can play a similar role in the league. Displaying success shooting the ball, developing a pick and roll game, and making better use of his left hand in the post would go a long way towards quelling the concerns of his current offensive skills translating."


• Swish Scout: "Big body who was a double- double machine in the ACC because of excellent post positioning and finishing ability around the basket. Has a very raw post game and isn’t supremely confident in his face up jumper, but projects as a decent NBA prospect with his great rebounding ability and post defense."

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