By LaMarr Fields, SuperWest Sports
July 31, 2021
The Memphis Grizzlies moved up to the 10th pick of the NBA Draft to take Ziaire Williams out of Stanford.
Some analysts saw it as a reach, having projected him going a little later in the First Round.
Granted, Williams struggled at times as a Cardinal, averaging 10.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 42% from the field and 29% from three-point land.
But the 6-foot-8 forward has a lot of upside potential, and that’s clearly what the Grizzly scouts and front office saw in him.
His 6-10 wing span enables him to play above the rim, giving Williams the physical tools to be an instant-impact player.
He can make shots off the dribble and out of catch-and-shoot situations, while also possessing the skillset of a great pick-and-roll player with his shot-making and playmaking ability.
While the former Stanford player is a streaky shooter who will need to improve that part of his game, he has good passing vision and excels at getting his teammates involved in the offense.
However, Williams must get stronger and beefier to guard the bigger NBA Wings and play through contact, allowing him to get to the free throw line more often.
All things considered, Williams is an excellent pick for Memphis, giving the Grizzlies a big wing who can score on all three levels, as well as another shot-creator along with Ja Morant.
In short, Ziaire Williams is looking like one of the sneaky good picks of this year’s draft—he just needs to put in the work.
Follow LaMarr Fields on Twitter: @raiderway83, @lsportstakes.
Read his other articles on L’s Sports Takes.
- Fields: Championship Week West Coast Top 10 - December 1, 2021
- LaMarr Fields’ Week 13 West Coast CFB Top 10 - November 23, 2021
- LaMarr Fields’ Top 5 Washington Coach Candidates - November 18, 2021