Devin Williams— PF/SF, 6-9, 255
Freshman, 20 years old
Season (23 mpg): 8.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3 Fouls
41% FG
23.4% defensive rebounding percentage (57th)
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
From “Revisiting ‘Under the Radar’ College Freshmen”
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Devin Williams | West Virginia
PF, 6-9, 255
20 years old
Season (23 mpg): 8.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3 Fouls
41% FG
23.4% defensive rebounding percentage (57th)
Trending: Up
Outlook: I’m still not fully sold on Williams’ NBA prospects, but there’s no denying he’ll probably excel in the NCAA. As a freshman, Williams recorded a team-high 7.2 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. He was a physical and rugged forward who consistently out-muscled opponents in the Big 12.
Williams’ offensive game is hard to define, at least for me. He has a chiseled frame to bang opponents down low, particularly when finishing put-backs and drop-offs at the basket. And he has a polished mid-range jump shot. So, overall, he can finish on the glass, or step out and shoot it. But his Achilles heel has been his inability to create his own shot, because he’s not agile enough (a la Kenneth Faried) to make it to the NBA simply on put-back finishes.
In addition to put-backs and a mid-range jump shot, Williams does all the “little things”—setting screens, rebounding, playing with energy—consistently well. He has terrific pick and pop potential, which adds an intriguing dimension to his game.
Defensively, right now Williams struggles as an on-ball defender. He averages 3 fouls in only 23 minutes per game, mostly due to poor footwork in the post. He has the strength, but he must refine his game to become more disciplined.
Going forward, Williams must add at least one “go-to” post move. Right now, he posts up often (30% of shot ), but he is clueless with the basketball. He must also show he can defend without fouling.
All things considered, Williams had a solid freshman season — he proved that his rebounding ability, toughness and jump shot translate at the highest level. With continued development, Williams should gradually rise to the national surface.
Video
Offensive Rebounds
Defensive Rebounds
Mid-Range Jump Shot
Driving Struggles
Left Block Misses
Right Block Misses
22 Points vs. Kansas
— March 8. Season-high 22 points on 8-10 shooting.
From “‘Under the Radar'” College Freshmen
Devin Williams | West Virginia
PF, 6-8, 200
Quick Thoughts: Devin Williams is the quintessential Bob Huggins player – A rugged, ultra-tough throwback power forward, raised in the rough neighborhoods of Cincinnati.
Williams embraces contact and physicality, and attacks the glass tenaciously. He has a wide and chiseled frame—high school coach Kevin Boyle coined Williams as being “built like Superman”. He positions himself on the boards, sets strong screens to open up shooters, and consistently knocks down a 17-foot jumpshot.
Picture a less athletic Udonis Haslem, or more recently, a less athletic but more skilled Jackie Carmichael.
Williams is undersized at 6-8, and he plays below the rim, but his ultra-strong frame and tenacious mindset made him into one of the best rebounders in high school basketball. To elevate his game, he’ll need to improve his defensive footwork and show what type of on-ball post defender he is.
How He Fits:
Projected Starting Lineup
C — Kevin Noreen (Jr)
F — Devin Williams (Fr)
G — Terry Henderson (So)
G — Eron Harris (So)
G — Juwan Staten (Jr)
Playing on a young West Virginia team that lost seven players from last season, Williams will have an opportunity to test–and showcase–his skills right away. With fellow freshman Elijah Macon still awaiting NCAA clearance, Williams should start at power forward.
It won’t be easy to replace Aaric Murray, who led West Virginia with 5.8 rebounds per game last season and was an efficient scorer. But if someone can do it as a freshman, it’s Williams and his college-ready body.