Mark Williams Draft Profile: Scouting Report, Fit with Hornets + Draft Projection

Taking a closer look at Mark Williams out of Duke.

Mark Williams

Position: Center

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 243

College: Duke

Scouting report: Had a big jump in production this past season, making strides on the offensive end of the floor. Williams is a natural shot-blocker who has elite timing and takes good angles to block/alter shots. As a sophomore, he averaged 2.8 blocks per game, making him the best interior defender in the 2022 NBA Draft. Offensively, he's a work in progress. Doesn't have great range as he lives inside the paint - not one who is going to drag another defender out to the three-point line. More importantly, Williams has to improve his ballhandling and receiving of entry passes.

Fit with the Hornets: The Hornets really struggled on the defensive end of the floor this past season, so it's easy to see why Charlotte fans want the Duke product to remain in the state and play for the purple and teal. He would immediately become the team's best interior defender and potentially the best rebounder as well. Williams would give the Hornets a better chance of slowing down some of the elite bigs in the game, something they had all sorts of trouble with in 2021-22.

Draft projection: There's a possibility that Williams falls out of the lottery and if he does, I wouldn't expect it to last very long. The Hornets' pick at No. 15 is the furthest I could see him falling, while No. 12 is probably the highest he would come off the board.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us Twitter:

Facebook - All Hornets

Twitter - @SI_Hornets and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.