D. Will Under the Radar No More

[TJ]

As a youngster growing up with aspirations of playing professional basketball, Derrick Williams said his mother always cautioned him not to “chase the NBA.”
“Instead,” she told him, “let the NBA chase you.”

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basket...EHsKf3_84AFMHPRQDevbYF?slug=jn-williams071410

Great quote!

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The lockout will scare away plenty of early entrants in the 2011 draft because nobody in the next draft is going to get a paycheck until 2012. Plus D-Will is a player you draft in the teens unless his jump shot improves dramatically (which it will with repetition).

 

[AzStevenCal]

The lockout will scare away plenty of early entrants in the 2011 draft because nobody in the next draft is going to get a paycheck until 2012. Plus D-Will is a player you draft in the teens unless his jump shot improves dramatically (which it will with repetition).

I think his footwork gets him a top 10 slot whenever he goes pro. That and the fact he's willing to play out of position and yet still excels will interest a lot of teams, IMO. The only reason I'd sort of agree with your "teens" prediction is that if he plays 2 more years and does not develop his jump shot he'll be viewed as having peaked.

Steve

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I think his footwork gets him a top 10 slot whenever he goes pro. That and the fact he's willing to play out of position and yet still excels will interest a lot of teams, IMO. The only reason I'd sort of agree with your "teens" prediction is that if he plays 2 more years and does not develop his jump shot he'll be viewed as having peaked.

Steve

He's still a 6'8 power forward. How many of those guys go top 10? He's a David West clone who went in the teens despite being one of the best college basketball players of the last decade.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He's still a 6'8 power forward. How many of those guys go top 10? He's a David West clone who went in the teens despite being one of the best college basketball players of the last decade.

Maybe you're right, but David West has outperformed his draft position. Also, when an undersized player excels in college it's not uncommon for even the professionals in the business to underrate the guy because of weaker competition.

If you're this height and succeed in the Atlantic Coast Conference you get a lot more credibility than the same performance will earn you in the Atlantic 10. And again, D Will doesn't just have good footwork, he has incredible footwork. If he develops West's mid range shot he'll be a star at the next level, even at PF.

Steve

 

[Lefty]

From what I have been told, Williams is gone after next year if he thinks he can get in the top-20. Luckily the Cats have Sidiki Johnson coming in.

 

[AzStevenCal]

From what I have been told, Williams is gone after next year if he thinks he can get in the top-20. Luckily the Cats have Sidiki Johnson coming in.

Oh, I think we all consider him gone unless the NBA lockout becomes a reality.

Steve

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Yep, the lockout is the only thing that will keep him here if he performs as expected.

Kyryl is killing it in the U-20 Euro Championships too so that's a good sign.

 

[Lefty]

Sidiki Johnson having a big showing.
http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/07/15/peach-jam-final-on-tv-leaderboard/#more-36940