2011 NBA Draft Scouting Report: F Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams, SF/PF, Arizona-

Measurables: 6’8″ 246 lbs.

Pros:

• Comes up big when needed most, Williams was a key component of the Wildcats Tourney run
• Smart basketball player, understands the nuances of the game
• Great range, can be a good NBA 3-point shooter and can pull up from anywhere inside the arc
• Very good penetrator, capable of playing above the rim
• Good decision maker, won’t force shots if they aren’t there
• Very good rebounder, comes up with a lot of boards despite playing out of the paint a lot
• excellent shot blocker, uses his impressive leaping ability to swat down shots
• Improving all around defender, can force a number of bad shots
• extremely quick for his size, he’s capable of running the break, and can work in any offense
• Somewhat versatile

Cons:

• Versatility could be overstated, doesn’t have great size to guard most 4’s in the NBA
• Defense needs to be tighter, he will face quicker and stronger opponents than in college, and can’t give them room to operate
• While a good shooter, he can be streaky at times and go cold for entire halves or games

Overview:

Williams is not only the best forward in this draft, but I believe he is the best all-around player. His inside-outside game is pretty much NBA ready and compares favorably to guys like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. He might not be as elite as those two stars, but he is closer than most people give him credit for. Really refined his game and showed vast improvements his second year in college, and still has even more potential. Within 3 years, I think he will become one of the NBA elite players and is a legitimate franchise prospect.