Hornets select Mark Williams with No. 15 pick
With the No. 15 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets have selected Duke big man Mark Williams.
Williams is arguably the top defensive prospect in this year's class. The Blue Devils center showed glimpses of his potential during his freshman year and seemed to put it all together last season. Williams won the 2021-22 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, finishing atop the conference in defensive rating (93.2) and registering the fifth-most blocks (110) in the nation.
His defense will certainly be his calling card at the next level, but the Virginia native's improvements on the opposite end were just as vital in Duke's Final Four run. The 20-year-old led all players in true shooting percentage (72.6%) and was nearly automatic from close range, converting 78.7% of his attempts at the rim, per Hoop-Math.com.
Bio
Position: Center
School: Duke
College experience: Sophomore
Height: 7-feet
Weight: 242 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-6
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Physical specimen; he had the longest wingspan and standing reach at this year's draft combine
- Elite rim-protector
- Lob threat in pick-and-roll and from dunker spot
- Runs floor in transition
- Shows great instincts on offensive glass
Weaknesses
- Provides little floor spacing
- Not much of a playmaking threat
- Lacks lateral quickness to stick with guards on perimeter
- Needs to show more physicality when defending post-ups