Mark Williams

Mark Williams was born on December 16, 2001, in Norfolk, Virginia, where his exceptional height and coordination made him a natural basketball prospect from a young age. His development through Virginia's competitive high school basketball scene established him as one of the top center prospects in his recruiting class.

Williams attended Duke University, where he played under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski during the hall of famer's final seasons. His development under Coach K and the Duke staff transformed him from a raw athletic big man into a polished NBA prospect with improved footwork, defensive timing, and offensive skills around the basket.

His junior season at Duke was particularly impressive, as Williams anchored the Blue Devils' defense with elite shot-blocking that ranked among the best in college basketball. His ability to protect the rim while maintaining positioning and avoiding unnecessary fouls demonstrated the defensive intelligence that would translate to the professional level.

Selected 15th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams arrived in an organization seeking a long-term solution at the center position. His shot-blocking ability and defensive potential were immediate assets, while his offensive game showed promising development in his early NBA appearances.

Williams' rim protection has been the cornerstone of his NBA value. His combination of length, timing, and positioning allows him to alter shots even when he doesn't record blocks, creating a defensive presence that affects opposing teams' shot selection and offensive approach when he is on the floor.

His offensive game, while still developing, has shown improvement in his pick-and-roll finishing, short-range shooting, and passing ability. Williams' willingness to set hard screens and roll to the basket with purpose provides the Hornets' guards with a reliable lob target and rim-running threat in the half-court offense.

Williams' development has been hampered by injuries that limited his availability during crucial developmental seasons. However, when healthy, his performances have shown enough promise to justify the Hornets' investment and their patience in waiting for him to reach his full basketball potential.

As the Hornets continue their rebuilding process, Williams represents a key piece of their future foundation. His defensive impact, improving offensive contributions, and youthful potential position him as a player who could develop into one of the NBA's premier rim-protecting centers in the coming seasons.