After a freshman season where Mark Williams provided extreme reason for optimism with his fantastic play, he decided to return for his Sophomore season. His return is fantastic news for Duke, and terrifying news for the rest of the ACC.
The improvement Mark Williams has made as a player over the last three years has been remarkable. In June of 2018, Mark Williams was ranked as the 116th recruit in the country, per 247sports. By May of 2019, Mark Williams had risen to the 52nd ranked prospect in the country. In the final class of 2020 rankings, Mark Williams was the 16th ranked recruit in the country. His meteoric rise up the recruiting charts culminated in him reaching five-star, elite territory.
When considering how rapidly Williams’ game improved as a high school prospect, his Freshman season at Duke makes a lot of sense. He played sparingly through the first nine games of Duke’s season, recording just 5.8 minutes per game during this span. During this time, Williams looked uncomfortable offensively and overly eager defensively. It took him a bit to figure out the college game, but when he got comfortable, his game took off.
As his Freshman campaign continued, he seemingly took another step forward in every game. His improvement, much like it was in high school, was rapid and expansive. Over the last six games of the season, Williams averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game while converting 80% of his field goal attempts. He was a dominant force in Duke’s final game against Louisville, recording 23 points and 19 rebounds.
Expect continued major production from Mark Williams this season. Williams has a chance to be one of the best centers in the country. He will certainly contend for a nod on the 2021-2022 All-ACC First Team and could even contend for a spot on one of the All-American teams.
Mark Williams is going to be an elite defensive anchor for this team. His presence down low will embolden the entire defense. Knowing that there is an elite rim protector patrolling the paint will allow other players on this team to play with more aggression and confidence on the defensive end.
Williams is the key to making the entire defense work. With Williams owning the paint combined with defensive pressure from players like AJ Griffin and Wendell Moore on the perimeter, the recipe for this to be a good defensive team is there. Williams is going to be invaluable to the team in this aspect.
Duke projects to be a very good rebounding team, and a lot of that has to do with Williams. Williams will play a big role in limiting opponents to just one shot attempt thanks to his propensity to pull down rebounds. It would not surprise if flirted with averaging double digit rebounds per game.
Williams also has plenty of potential offensively. Last season, Williams flashed the ability to knock down midrange jump shots, going three for three on such attempts last season. He will still likely not be asked to take these shots frequently, but it can be expected that he will knock them down with a bit more regularity. Much like last season, he will also be very difficult to stop in the painted area thanks to his size and soft touch. He’s also showcased an ability to knock down three pointers in team scrimmages.
Williams provides Duke with a unique dimension offensively. Duke will be able to feed him in the post and rely on him to score in the paint. This Duke team possesses plenty of ways to score from the perimeter, but Williams makes this team even more difficult to prepare for from an opponent’s point of view in that he demands attention down low.
If a team wants to stop Williams in the paint, they are going to have make sure they have some serious size on the floor in an effort to slow him. Even then, it may not be enough. This added element Williams provides makes Duke that much more difficult to defend.
It would not surprise if Mark Williams finishes the season as one of the top three scorers on the team. Paolo Banchero will comfortably lead the team in scoring, but who finishes second and third in that department is up in the air. For a player who is going to be as much of a defensive force as Williams, what he can also offer offensively is a scary thought for opponents.
Williams is in store for a monster Sophomore season. If Duke is able to contend for a Final Four and National Championship, Williams will be a big reason why.