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NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Grant Williams

By Jordan Treske

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts during the first half against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts during the first half against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 16: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 16: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Having capped off his illustrious three-year run at the University of Tennessee, forward Grant Williams is taking the next step and entering this year’s NBA Draft.

Grant Williams’ three years at the University of Tennessee did plenty to transform his profile as a prospect, all of which has led to him entering the 2019 NBA Draft.

Once the 191st recruit in his class back in 2016, per 24/7 Sports, Williams was hardly on the radar of the power five basketball programs around the country before the Volunteers offered him a scholarship.

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As Williams told Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News earlier this year, he credits assistant coach Desmond Oliver for recruiting him and envisioning what everyone eventually saw of the 20-year-old under Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes:

"“If it wasn’t for Coach Oliver, I don’t know if I would be here right now,” Williams said. “When I really think about it, the people surrounding me have really helped me get better as a person and a player. My family has always done a great job of being there for me each game and having confidence in me even when I didn’t have that much confidence in myself. “I was never the most attractive-looking athlete. I wasn’t the guy that was going to outshoot anyone. I was just a guy that would do what I do: more physicality, bringing effort and competing.”"

But even then, Williams’ stunning physical transformation while in Knoxville unlocked his game, blossoming to the point where he was named SEC Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons as well as a first-term All-American following the end of his junior campaign.

In his 37 appearances with the Volunteers this season, Williams averaged 18.8 points on .593/.326/.819, 7.5 rebound, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals across 31.9 minutes per game.

So without further ado, let’s explore the game of Tennessee hybrid forward/big man Grant Williams by looking at his strengths, weaknesses, where draft experts currently rate him and examine his potential fit with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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