Say it with me: Florida State is a basketball school. With the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Patrick Williams.
Patrick Williams: only player in the country this season with 20+ dunks, 80 FT%, 5% block rate
Going back to the 07-08 season: 30 other guys have hit those numbers, including Grant Williams, Thybulle, DJ Wilson, KAT, KJ McDaniels.
— Brian Geisinger (@bgeis_bird) March 23, 2020
Defensive Profile
A former blue-chip recruit, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound Williams was excellent during his lone season in Tallahassee. Williams, the 2019-20 ACC Sixth Man of the Year, emerged as a versatile component of Florida State’s 1-5 switch defense. During his freshman season, Williams guarded all five positions, while flashing impactful traits as a team defender.
As a freshman, Williams averaged 9.2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal per game for the ACC’s top team.
There are some movement concerns, but given his combination of size, strength and athleticism, it’s no surprise that Williams — the youngest college prospect in this year’s draft — climbed up boards.
What about the other side of the floor?
On offense, Williams is a little more of blank slate. Williams shot 32 percent on 3-point looks this season, although it was on a smaller sample: 16-of-50 3PA. Williams also shot 83.8 percent from the free throw line, which is a positive indicator.
His shot form is a little stiff and mechanical, but there’s nothing broken — another positive indicator.
It’s reasonable to project Williams as a second-side player that can shoot in the mid-to-upper 30s in terms of spot-up 3-point attempts.
As an added bonus, Williams displayed some nice off-ball cutting skills this season, too. Williams is especially adept along to baseline; however, when he saw a crease to make a play against a ball-watching defense, he went for it.
Getting Buckets
Williams offers more than just spot-up shooting, though. There are some shot-creation elements to this game — off-dribble out of the pick-and-roll, pull-ups off closeouts and slight movement shooting from the pick-and-pop.
The pick-and-pop pull-up jumper is a bread-and-butter look for Williams. Assuming he forces closeouts by making enough 3-pointers, this is another half-court weapon. (It’s also another positive shooting indicator for Williams.)
Over 40 percent of Williams’ field goal attempts came around the rim this season — a healthy number. Williams even showed flashes getting to the rim from 25+ feet with his handle.
FSU, the Basketball Factory
Going back to the 2016 NBA Draft, Florida State is on a bit of a run with producing NBA talent. Malik Beasley was selected 19th overall in 2016; a year later, Jonathan Isaac was a lottery selection of the Orlando Magic, while Dwayne Bacon went in the second round to the Charlotte Hornets.
Beasley and Bacon were in the same 2015 recruiting class. Terance Mann, who was also a part of that recruiting class, was a second round selection (No. 48 overall) of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.
Forrest and Isaac were a part of Florida State’s 2016 class, which also featured Mfiondu Kabengele. Kabengele was selected 27th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Factor in Williams and Devin Vassell (when he’s drafted), and Florida State will have five first round picks over the last five drafts, plus two second round selections. (Trent Forrest could make that three second round selection in that span of time, too.)