http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Robert-Williams-89995/
#1 - Luka Doncic (Real Madrid)
#2 - Michael Porter Jr (Presumably Will play for Missouri next season)
#3 - Deandre Ayton (Will play for Arizona next season)
#4 - Mohamed Bamba (Will play for Kentucky next season)
#5 -Robert Williams (Will play for Texas A&M next season)
Article talking about the pros and cons (risks) of Robert Williams decision.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/robert-williams-nba-draft-2017-texas-am-projection-mock-lottery/fmohpmwgtll31ctm3j0zn706e
Short summary of author's take seems to be - Wiliams' freak wingspan and athleticism will probably protect his draft stock somewhat barring significant injury (since 6'9" guys with 7'4" wingspans and 40" verticals don't grow on trees apparently), and that if he can show a further developed offensive skill set over the next year then he will probably be in great shape - maybe actually playing out as a top-5 pick in 2018 NBA draft.
#1 - Luka Doncic (Real Madrid)
#2 - Michael Porter Jr (Presumably Will play for Missouri next season)
#3 - Deandre Ayton (Will play for Arizona next season)
#4 - Mohamed Bamba (Will play for Kentucky next season)
#5 -Robert Williams (Will play for Texas A&M next season)
Article talking about the pros and cons (risks) of Robert Williams decision.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/robert-williams-nba-draft-2017-texas-am-projection-mock-lottery/fmohpmwgtll31ctm3j0zn706e
Quote:
Anyone trying to tell you this was an easy choice to declare is wrong. And yet, there are some very real risk factors that Williams will have to contend with over the course of the next season in order to either help his draft stock or at least keep it constant.
Quote:
The 6-foot-9 pogo stick with a 7-foot-4 wingspan burst onto the NBA Draft scene quickly this season, with his athletic gifts becoming apparent to anyone who saw him play. In that regard, he's different than most players who return to school. Injuries are always a gamble, but his athleticism should allow him to keep NBA scouts interested, even if his skills don't take the next leap forward.
Still, we have many examples of players passing up likely first-round money and ending up with little in the way of guarantees. Just this past season, we can look at a pair of big men who have undeniably hurt themselves and their potential to be selected in the 2017 draft by returning to school. Cal's Ivan Rabb and Indiana's Thomas Bryant would have likely been selected somewhere in the 15-25 range of the 2016 NBA Draft, essentially guaranteeing themselves something in the range of $4 million.
Quote:
As mentioned above, there are reasons to think Williams can avoid that fate due to his athleticism. But this year's SEC Defensive Player of the Year will need to commit to the skill development portion his game in order to get to where he wants to go. There are a few skills scouts will be watching for.
First, his jump shot has potential mechanically to become a weapon, but he did not hit them at a high percentage this past season. Second, he could stand to develop a bit more in the post in order to take advantage of mismatches. Finally, it would help him if he could develop the ability to handle the ball in one- or two-dribble settings in order to attack hard closeouts.
Improve in those areas, and this move will look good for Williams. Falter, and he could see his stock fall. As someone who likes certainty in life, especially if I was faced with a choice that could make me millions of dollars in three months, I can say that I would have gone pro. But these choices are deeply personal ones with factors to weigh on both sides of the coin, and they're easy to question when you're not faced with the decision yourself.
Hopefully for Williams, we'll look back in a year's time and say he was right.
Short summary of author's take seems to be - Wiliams' freak wingspan and athleticism will probably protect his draft stock somewhat barring significant injury (since 6'9" guys with 7'4" wingspans and 40" verticals don't grow on trees apparently), and that if he can show a further developed offensive skill set over the next year then he will probably be in great shape - maybe actually playing out as a top-5 pick in 2018 NBA draft.