NBA Comparison: Mike Scott

Strengths: Solid finisher around the basket … Quality low-post scorer … Capable shooter … Great competitor with feel for the game … Above-average facilitator/playmaker, especially from the post where he has great vision and makes the correct pass out of double-teams … Versatile defender where he can guard the post, but is also capable to switch onto a wing … 6’11 wingspan which allows him to out-rebound taller/more athletic players down low … Great mid-range and free throw shooter, has improved each year from the line. Also, capable of knocking down shots from beyond the arc (32.6%) … Capable shot blocker, averaged 1.3+ BPG during his three years at Tennessee … Very strong which allows him to finish through contact and carve out space in the paint … Where Williams lacks in athleticism and height, he makes up for it with strength, play-making ability, and motor … High motor, constantly hustles and demonstrates leadership on the court … High basketball IQ which leads to his above-average playmaking ability … Played with talented players during his tenure at Tennessee (Player: Admiral Schofield), (Player: Jordan Bone), and is capable in terms of sharing the basketball and the spotlight … Was the centerpiece during his time at Tennessee while winning back-to-back SEC Player of the Year Awards and was always a leader and set the example … Key to his game is versatility where he continues to show improvement in each area

Weaknesses:  Williams is an undersized forward at 6’7 which is small for a player who lacks in athleticism and makes most of his impact in the post … Not an explosive athlete, plays below the rim … Foul prone, fouled out of 4 games including two matchups against top talent in the country in Gonzaga and Kansas … Williams struggles to stay in front of quicker guards due to his lack of athleticism and height … While capable of hitting from beyond the arc, Williams digressed from his freshman year to junior year. Very capable from mid-range and the free throw line, but needs to continually improve from three if he plans to find a role as a small-ball four in the NBA … Hesitant to utilize jumper, typically makes impact in the post or opts to pass on open shot to get the ball into the block … Williams may struggle to create off the dribble considering we saw most of his offensive skill set in the post or catch-and-shoot opportunities on the perimeter.

Outlook: Williams is considered to be a late first-round to early second-round pick by most scouts … If Williams can prove at workouts/the combine that he can take players off the dribble and that his jump-shot is fluid enough, he should be able to sneak into the first round. Williams plays like a small-ball four and has similarities to PJ Tucker or Mike Scott, but he needs to improve defensively and look more fluid on the perimeter whether it be off the dribble or shooting to reach the level of those comparisons.

Notes: Williams had an insanely decorated college career where he won 2-SEC Player of the Year awards, and this past season made First Team All-American … Went 23-23 from the line against Vanderbilt which was second all-time in FTM/FTA. Williams ranked top-6 in scoring, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and rebounding in the SEC (2019) … Led the Vols to their first No.1 ranking since 2008. Williams is a bright kid as he chose the Vols over Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale …

David Correll 4/7/19