NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
Chicago Bulls. Patrick Williams. 4. player. 24. . PF
NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year: 4. Patrick Williams
Stats:
- 9.2 points
- 4.6 rebounds
- 48.3% from the field
- 39.1% from three
Patrick Williams wasn’t exactly as ballyhooed as the first three players taken before him but he quickly proved to be a solid player.
During his time at Florida State, Williams didn’t light up the scoreboard, he averaged 9.2 points to go along with four rebounds. The Chicago Bulls took him based on potential and placed him in the starting lineup all season long. Surprisingly, Williams averaged the exact same points that he did in college that he did in the pros.
Unlike normal rookies who have a hard time hitting their shot when playing against much better defenders, Williams didn’t have much trouble at all. His 48.1 field goal percentage ranked second in his class when compared to players who started. He was also a knockdown 3-point shooter, nailing 39.1 percent from behind the line.
Williams was solid this season but even while playing 27.9 minutes per game, he didn’t really stand out. Even on his best night which came against the Brooklyn Nets where he totaled 24 points, Williams never really wowed anyone.
The potential is clearly there. And with Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lauri Markkanen getting most of the other team’s attention on defense, Williams has a chance to raise his scoring average by a lot in year two. But as for year one, Williams was okay. Nothing more, nothing less.
Grade: C