NBA Comparison: PJ Tucker

Strengths: After starting his career as an undersized power forward,  Kenrich Williams has slowly built his game up to be a viable perimeter player during his senior season at TCU … At 6’7”, Williams is an elite rebounder for his size … This past season, Williams hauled in 9.3 boards per contest, which also includes an impressive 2.8 offensive rebound per game clip … He’s more of a below the rim player, but is excellent using his body and being in great position for rebounds … He does a lot of the little things needed to succeed as a defender and rebounder, paired with his good energy, I feel he could be an effective rebounder at the next level as well … Defensively, at 6’7” and 210 pounds, he’s a little small for an NBA small forward, but has the strength and tenacity to guard a large portion of NBA players at that position … Williams is also probably quick enough to handle a portion of NBA shooting guards, which does give him two position defensive potential … His defensive instincts are on point, and he’s great at creating transition opportunities by creating steals and deflections … While at TCU his senior year, he averaged 1.8 steals per contest (which included an impressive 4 games with 4 or more steals) … While playing on the wing is not his natural position, Kenrich has greatly improved as a passer (3.9 apg) and is excellent at finding cutters and making the right pass … He had a 1.95 A/TO ratio as a small forward, which is a nice number for a non-guard … He’s also a reliable outside jump shooter, and hit 39% of his attempts from beyond the arc as a senior … This will give him appeal as a player who can hit the glass, but also stretch the floor … His ability to hit mid-range jumpers (especially at the top of the key) paired with his passing ability could make him a viable option in the pick and roll and pick and pop schemes at the next level …

Weaknesses: Kenrich falls into the tweener category … While greatly improved on the perimeter, he’s still not a natural ball handler on the wing, and is really more of a converted power forward than a true swingman … Being 6’7” and weighing in at 210 pounds makes him right at the average for an NBA wing player … Larger small forwards could render him at a major size/strength disadvantage … He finished at 64.5% at the rim during his senior year, but in an NBA landscape with much larger, more athletic players, finishing against larger could give him problems … He raised his FT percentage to .688% last year, but you’d like your small forwards to at least be over 70% FT shooters at the next level … He’s more of a hustle player and spot up shooter on offense, and will most likely not be a huge impact in the scoring column in the NBA … His outlook is more of a glue guy, and not a player who looks to be able to shoulder much of a scoring burden … Not a particularly long player, and at 23 and a half years old may not be viewed as a player with much upside left to develop …

Overall: Williams has some appeal as a two position defender and glue guy at the next level … He’s very smart defensively, and has a nice feel for the flow of the game overall … He’ll likely rebound at a high level for his position, and his improved ability to create for others and hit the outside jumper could potentially make him a tough matchup off switches, and an asset in spacing the floor … He’s a bit of a tweener, turning 24 in December and h doesn’t have that appeal as a high upside player, but his unique combination of skills will still make him an intriguing option on draft night.

Notes: All-Big 12 Second Team (2018) All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2018)  NIT’s Most Outstanding Player (2016-17). Started his NCAA career at New Mexico Junior College.

David Ray 5/27/18