2011 NBA Draft: 5 Reasons Why Derrick Williams Will Enter the NBA Draft

Derrick Williams went from being a moderately recruited west-coast prospect to a top-five (or better) NBA draft lock in just two short seasons...that is, if he leaves Arizona.

And even though an NBA lockout is a distinct possibility, the time is right for Williams to move on and move up.

This is not an easy statement for me to make.

As a Wildcat fan, I have followed Arizona ever since Lute Olson went to Tucson in the 1980s.

And, quite frankly, I would love to see the sophomore power forward return for his remaining two years of eligibility.

But the time is right.

Here are five reasons why Derrick Williams should declare for the NBA draft.

5. He Has Worked Hard to Prepare Himself Physically

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 18: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to a play against the Memphis Tigers during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 18, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Penning

The dude is chiseled. He has an NBA-ready body.

Derrick Williams graduated high school weighing in at around 215 lbs.

Through countless hours of work in the weight room, Williams has put on 30 lbs of muscle to become a frontcourt force to be reckoned with.

4. He Has Proven Himself Statistically

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a rebound against Jamal Coombs-McDaniel #4 and Charles Okwandu #35 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at

"My goal before the season was to shoot the most free throws and to be the most efficient player In the country..and sure enough I was," Williams said via his Twitter account.

Williams got to the line more than any other player in the nation, shooting 331 free throws.

And when he got there, he made his opponents pay, making 75 percent of his attempts.

As far as efficiency, Williams led the nation in points per shot (2.0) because of his free-throw and three-point shooting.

Williams scored 19.5 PPG and grabbed 8.3 RPG, leading Arizona in both categories.

3. He Has Been Recognized Nationally

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats goes to the basket against Mason Plumlee #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011

It started last year, as Williams was selected for the Sporting News Freshmen All-American Team (which, by the way, he was the only player to return to school out of the five, the other four being John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins (both from Kentucky), Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech) and Xavier Henry (Kansas).

Along with this, Williams was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.

It has continued this year.

Among other awards, Williams was named second team All-American by the Associated Press along with Marcus Morris (Kansas, Big 12 POY), Ben Hansbrough (Notre Dame, Big East POY), Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin, first team All-Big Ten) and Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State, All-Mountain West Conference).

Not bad company.

Also, Williams was named this year's Pac-10 Player of the Year.

2. He Stormed the Big Stage Dramatically

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California.

Throughout the season, Williams willed the Wildcats to the Pac-10 regular season championship.

And then came this year's NCAA tournament.

In U of A's opening-round game against Memphis, Williams hit a late three-pointer and then blocked a potential tying shot in the final seconds to seal the deal on the victory.

In the Wildcats' second-round game against Texas, Williams converted an "old-fashioned" three-point play with 9.6 seconds on the clock to lift the Wildcats to a 70-69 win over Texas.

In the Sweet 16, Williams dominated Duke in every way possible. He scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the first half and helped lead the charge to blitzing the Blue Devils, 93-77.

In the Elite Eight, Williams led Arizona with 20 points despite picking up three fouls, all in the first half.

1. And Now, His Draft Status Can't Get Any Better

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats looks on from the bench against the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, Cal

Even if Derrick Williams came back and did it all over again, his NBA draft status would not improve.

Some mock drafts have him being the first player picked this year.

Most have him in the top three.

Yes, in theory, going back to school for another year won't hurt him, but why take the chance.

And, selfishly, I want to see him back in an Arizona uniform, terrorizing the new Pac-12.

But Derrick Williams is ready, and he should go.