Prospect Overview
Physical specimen with an absurd 9-foot-9 standing reach and great mobility for his dimensions that allowed him to be a force around the basket on both ends for most of his sophomore season.
About Mark Williams
Mark Williams is a long, mobile big man with a solid frame whose ability to catch lobs and block shots made him a key difference maker in his second season at Duke. Garnering attention early in his career thanks to his size, the Norfolk, Virginia native rose to prominence nationally over his last two seasons at the prep level and finished his career at IMG Academy (FL) regarded as one of the consensus top-30 prospects in the high school class of 2020 while earning McDonald’s All-American honors.
Carving out a role that grew as his freshman year wore on under head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the 7-foot-2 center finished the season averaging 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over only 15.3 minutes per game. Showing improvement in a number of areas as a sophomore, the 20-year-old big man averaged 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks over 23.5 minutes per game while earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and helping the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
• Measured standing 7-foot-2 in shoes with a 242-pound frame and a 7-foot-6 wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, Williams has rare dimensions for an NBA center. His 9-foot-9 standing reach ranks among the largest marks ever recorded for an NBA prospect. Matching his size with good mobility for his size, he has all the tools to be an imposing presence around the rim on both ends at the next level.
• Though Williams got some opportunities to play out of the post he filled a clear niche for a talented Duke offense with his ability to catch lobs from the dunker spot, make plays on the offensive glass, and roll to the rim. He ranked among the most efficient offensive players in the country as a sophomore thanks primarily to his ability to effortless play above the rim, but also due to his significant improvement as a free throw shooter.
• Ranking among the better per-minute shot blockers in college basketball, Williams’ size helped him put a lid on the rim for stretches. Showing some growth as a rebounder but doing a better job guarding one-on-one in the post and using angles on the perimeter some possessions more than others, he has some things to clean up to allow himself to anchor a defense at the next level.
Advanced Stats
• Getting some opportunities to operate with his back to the basket but thriving as a catch and finish threat frequently playing alongside four capable ball handlers, Williams had one of the most efficient offensive seasons in recent college basketball history. He has some things to prove as a passer and room to translate his free throw stroke into a consistent weapon in the midrange, but already shows considerable ability in a role it is easy to see him filling at the next level.
• Barely needing to jump to play above the rim and able to play at the top of the square effortlessly with room to gather, Williams averaged 1.56 points per shot around the rim in the half court [98th percentile]. He led the nation in total dunks while displaying a huge catch radius for lobs and bolstered his efficiency with his improvement as a free throw shooter as opposing teams were not able to take their chances with him at the line the way they did during his freshman year..
• Getting some opportunities to operate in the post, Williams showed some ability to use his size to his advantage, tossing in several hooks with deft touch. Averaging 0.90 points per Post Up possession [65th percentile], Williams had some issues with turnovers and physicality but showed the type of touch that leaves some room for optimism about his ability to turn the handful of jumpers he made a sophomore into the type of midrange shot that would give him a bit more versatility.
Defensive Analysis
• Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block and challenge shots around the rim, Williams was spectacular for stretches on the defensive end. Blocking a lot of shots on the ball and as a second defender, Williams also had some very impressive moments using his mobility making late recoveries to take away layups at the last moment.
• Looking more comfortable hedging and recovering in some games than others, Williams has some things to prove in terms of schematic versatility at the next level. Allowing 0.62 points per post up possession [84th percentile], but getting pushed around in some matchups, he has room to get stronger as a one-on-one defender as well.
• Making some subtle strides as a rebounder from his freshman year and cutting back on his fouls, Williams has shown an ability to develop and adjust, leaving some room for optimism about his upside on the defensive end.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
