2018 NBA Mock Draft: Way too early edition

Before Michigan State’s Miles Bridges made his surprising decision to return to school for his sophomore season, another 2017 lottery prospect made it known that he would be back on campus in the fall. Texas A&M’s Robert Williams was recognized as the center with he highest defensive upside (all due respect to Gonzaga’s Zach Collins) prior to his decision to forgo the draft, but he’s headed back to College Station to try and improve his position on big boards.

At 6-foot-9, Williams is on the smaller side of the tape for an NBA center, but his 7-foot-4 wingspan and terrific athleticism allow him to play bigger than he is. He averaged 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes this season while regularly avoiding foul trouble. That combination of high blocks with few fouls is uncommon for most freshman prospects. Offensively, Williams obviously has the capability to be a roll man, but he has some upside, too, particularly as a passer and as a shooter. Neither of those skills are fully fleshed out, but another year in college could help.

Williams will also benefit from a slightly different roster construction at Texas A&M in his sophomore campaign. Prior to the start of last season, incoming freshman point guard J.J. Caldwell was ruled ineligible, forcing the Aggies to play without a traditional lead guard. With Caldwell and Marquette graduate transfer Duane Wilson on board, Williams should benefit as he’ll have a point guard to help set the table on the offensive end.