2011 NBA Mock Draft: Derrick Williams Highlights and Pro Projections
The 2011 NBA Draft is finally upon us. All of the evaluations are done, and all that remains is actually making the picks.
One guy who will not have to wait very long to hear NBA Commissioner David Stern is Derrick Williams from the University of Arizona.
Williams was highly regarded entering the 2010-11 NCAA season, and his stock soared following his 32-point, 13-rebound game against Duke in the NCAA tournament.
He will be one of the first two players taken, along with Duke's Kyrie Irving. He is listed as a power forward, but he has the athleticism to play small forward in the NBA. In fact, he actually views himself as more of a small forward than a power forward.
He will have to add some bulk to his thin frame if he wants to be a power forward in the NBA. He understands the game already, which should allow him to make an impact right away. His speed is one of the more underrated aspects of his game. I mentioned earlier that he doesn't have the ideal frame for the league, yet, but he can drive around bigger defenders who can't match his speed.
He is also a very good shooter, with the ability to play at the perimeter or close to the basket.
As good as he looks on offense, there are questions about how good he will be on defense. His thin frame will allow opposing players to just overpower him. If, and it's the one thing I keep coming back to, he doesn't bulk up, he will never be a star in this league.
I believe that he can add that muscle, and that he will be a star in the league for a long time. I don't see superstar or MVP potential, but he could make a very good No. 2 option on a championship team.
For more 2011 NBA Draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA Draft rumors, NBA Draft results and draft grades.
| 1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving | 16. Philadelphia 76ers - Nikola Vucevic |
| 2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams | 17. New York Knicks - Chris Singleton |
| 3. Utah Jazz - Enes Kanter | 18. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hamilton |
| 4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Jan Vesely | 19. Charlotte Bobcats - Donatas Motiejunas |
| 5. Toronto Raptors - Brandon Knight | 20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Iman Shumpert |
| 6. Washington Wizards - Tristan Thompson | 21. Portland Trail Blazers - Kenneth Faried |
| 7. Sacramento Kings - Kemba Walker | 22. Denver Nuggets - Marshon Brooks |
| 8. Detroit Pistons - Bismack Biyombo | 23. Houston Rockets - Darius Morris |
| 9. Charlotte Bobcats - Marcus Morris | 24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Nikola Mirotic |
| 10. Milwaukee Bucks - Alec Burks | 25. Boston Celtics - Tobias Harris |
| 11. Golden State Warriors - Klay Thompson | 26. Dallas Mavericks - Reggie Jackson |
| 12. Utah Jazz - Jimmer Fredette | 27. New Jersey Nets - Jeremy Tyler |
| 13. Phoenix Suns - Kawhi Leonard | 28. Chicago Bulls - Justin Harper |
| 14. Houston Rockets - Jonas Valanciunas | 29. San Antonio Spurs - Davis Bertans |
| 15. Indiana Pacers - Markieff Morris | 30. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Honeycutt |
