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Washington Wizards 2018 NBA Draft Scouting Profile: Robert Williams

By Christopher Church

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks on the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks on the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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In a 2018 NBA draft class full of premiere centers, the Washington Wizards have their eyes set on Texas A&M big man Robert Williams with the No. 15 overall pick.

Texas A&M sophomore Robert Williams has been compared by Bleacher Report to the likes of current NBA All-Star center DeAndre Jordan, a player the Washington Wizards flirted with acquiring during the past couple of seasons.

Now, with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards could select their big man of the future in Williams, who averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season, along with 9.2 rebounds per game, something the Wizards lacked during the 2017-18 season.

Williams also averaged 10.4 points during his sophomore years with the Aggies and shot 63.2 percent from the field in 25.6 minutes per game.

Wizards current starting center Marcin Gortat is now 34 years of age so there’s unquestionably a need for the team to discover his future replacement. Williams is a remarkably athletic and explosive big man who would figure to pair well with Markieff Morris and possibly Michigan’s Moritz Wagner if the Wizards were to draft him with their second-round pick.

Williams was a rebounding machine during his time at Texas A&M as he registered 11 games with at least 10 rebounds or more including a monstrous double-double performance in a loss at LSU when he scored 21 points and hauled in 15 rebounds.

According to NBADraft.net, Williams strengths and weaknesses include:

Strengths:

  • A 7-foot-6 wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his 6-foot-9 height
  • Strong ability to track down missed shot by gaining inside position
  • High rebounding ability with 12 percent offensive rebound rate
  • Leaping ability to convert around the rim and power past contact

Weaknesses:

  • Non-existent during stretches of games, especially on the offensive end
  • Below-average free throw shooter
  • Minimal progression in the development from freshman to sophomore season
  • Received a suspension to start sophomore year

The Washington Wizards announced Williams will make a private pre-draft work out for the Wizards on Monday, June 18 at Capital One Arena just days before the 2018 NBA draft.

Next: Wizards 2018 NBA Draft Scouting Profile: Lonnie Walker

However, many of the NBA mock drafts from around the internet and major sports networks have Williams landing before the Wizards No. 15 overall pick. For example, Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft tabs Williams at No. 12 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers while NBADraft.net’s Extended Mock Draft 5.0 puts Williams at No. 14 overall to the Denver Nuggets, one pick before the Wizards at No. 15.

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