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Overview

One of college basketball's premier shot blockers, Williams' off-field issues reared its ugly head once again in 2006-07, seeing the front court defender get dismissed from the team after just playing in 15 games that year. Suspended twice in the past, head coach Al Skinner felt that it was best for the team that they parted ways with their enigmatic talent.

Williams was the early favorite for the national defensive player of the year after blocking 75 shots in 15 games. He was averaging 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the Eagles. He was suspended for the first two games this season for a violation of team rules. But once he became eligible, Williams went on a shot-blocking tear, swatting 12 shots in his first game, a loss to Providence. Williams blocked 13 shots in a loss to Duquesne and had six games of five or more blocks and seven games of three rejections.

Williams had also developed an offensive game of late, scoring 16 or more points in seven of 15 games prior to his dismissal. He was also suspended for the fall semester last year due to the marijuana charge and wasn't allowed to attend the school. As a result he went home to Houston and took classes. He spent time with former NBA player John Lucas, who has a history of helping players get their lives and games straightened out, especially anyone who has had a substance abuse issue.

At Mansfield High School, Williams earned All-Region and All-District first-team honors in 2003-04. He was named 2003-04 District 4-5A Defensive Player of the Year and was also selected as the district's top newcomer (he played just one season at Mansfield). He added Class 5A All-Region I first-team honors from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Association. As a senior, he averaged 16.0 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.6 blocked shots per game, setting a district record for single-season blocked shots. He also played summer ball with the Dallas Mustangs in 2003.

At Boston College in 2004-05, Williams played in 27 games, averaging 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game. He earned Big East Conference All-Rookie Team honors and received Big East Rookie of the Week accolades (Jan. 10) for his efforts against Connecticut and Providence.

Williams scored in double figures in two games, including a total of 16 points and 10 rebounds (seven at the offensive end) - both career highs - in a home win over Providence (1/8); shot 7-for-7 from the field. He ranked among Big East leaders (conference games only) in blocked shots (third, 2.25/game), as he led or tied for the team lead in blocked shots 20 times, in rebounding once and in steals once.

As a sophomore, Williams appeared in 27 games after returning from his fall suspension. He averaged 3.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per game and scored in double figures once. He ranked among Atlantic Coast Conference leaders (conference games only) in blocked shots (third, 1.80/game) and led or tied for the team lead in blocked shots 21 times and in steals three times. He recorded five or more rebounds in each of nine games and blocked two or more shots in each of 16 games.

After sitting out the first two games of the 2006-07 campaign, Williams returned to start fifteen games at center. He found his scoring touch, sinking 54.8% of his field goals (63-of-115) and 70% of his free throws (56-80) for 182 points, an average of 12.1 points per game. He snatched 104 rebounds, including 36 offensive boards for a 6.9 average and had 18 assists with 21 steals. Prior to his dismissal, his average of five blocked shots (75 total) ranked third in the nation. He turned the ball over 35 times and was called for 48 fouls.

In 69 games at Boston College, Williams started fifteen contests. He shot .577 from the field on 138-of-239 field goals and hit on 101-of-167 free throws (60.5%). He grabbed 290 rebounds with 109 offensive boards (4.2 rpg) and was credited with 44 assists. He blocked 193 shots, an average of 2.8 per game. He was called for 183 fouls and had 82 turnovers.

Scouting Report

Positives...Has the long limbs, developing frame, quick feet and athleticism to play any of the three frontcourt positions...size indicates he would be a better fit at small forward, but he looks very comfortable playing with his back to the basket and with his excellent shot blocking skills, he is a much better force in the paint, despite lacking the bulk of most centers...Times his leaps well and gets good elevation with full arm extension trying to alter the opponent's shot...Very explosive runner on the court who can easily slash past double teams on the way to the basket...Runs the court like a guard and is limber enough to be quite effective on the fast break, especially in executing the alley-oops...Finishes well in transition, getting nice elevation in attempts to dunk the ball...More comfortable working under the hoop than firing from long range, but sets his feet well executing the jumpers...Has good slashing ability to the hoop and is quick enough to get in front of the guards for the one-bounce pass, feathering the ball in nicely with his finger rolls...Is effective dunking from the weak-side and has the speed to separate from the defender when working in the low post...Has developed an effective turnaround shot with his back to the basket and has the lateral agility to get out and defend along the perimeter...Will not hesitate to mix it up with the bigger opponent when going for the ball...Knows that his 7'5" wingspan is good enough to alter the opponent's shot in the lanes, but must remain focused on the court...Improved his free throw shooting as a junior, but still shows a bit of a hitch in his release.

,Negatives...Has a history of off-field issues that will cause his draft stock to slip...Needs to become more accountable for his actions and must own up to responsibility if he hopes to earn an invite to training camp...Disruptive presence in the locker room whose talents do not out-weigh the problems he can cause...Gets too shot block conscious and should revert some of that energy to rebounding...Seems disinterested when not involved in the action and needs to be more aggressive crashing the offensive boards for put-backs and rebounds...Is caught out of position often and needs to show better confidence in using his body to box out...Must show better urgency in his game, as it is rare to see him go after the off-target rebounds...Liability shooting from the perimeter and prefers not to touch the ball when out of the paint...Will fight for the rebound if his mind is in the game, but at other times, he passively lets the opponent recover the ball.

Compares To...EDDIE GRIFFIN-ex-Minnesota. For all of his talent, Williams could be heading down the same path that Griffin has taken during his embattled career. There is no question that Williams has a tremendous amount of athletic ability, but when folks keep feeding the baby with a silver spoon (John Lucas taking him under his wing) rather than giving him a dose of reality, you have to wonder if he will ever grow up. With his shot blocking skills, someone will bite on his talent. But you have to ask yourself before selecting him if the troubled baggage he brings is really worth the price of having him on your team.

High School

Attended Mansfield (Houston, Tex.) High as a senior...Earned All-Region and All-District first-team honors in 2003-04...Named 2003-04 District 4-5A Defensive Player of the Year and was also selected as the district's top newcomer (he played just one season at Mansfield)...Added Class 5A All-Region I first-team honors from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Association...As a senior, he averaged 16.0 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.6 blocked shots per game, setting a district record for single-season blocked shots... Also played summer ball with the Dallas Mustangs in 2003.

Personal

Enrolled in the Carroll Schoolof Management...Son of Audrey Garrett and Roland Williams...Born 9/13/86...Resides in Houston, Texas.

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