NCAA Basketball: Threats to Zion emerge in National Player of the Year race
By Brian Rauf
3) Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee
Stats: 18.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.9 apg
LW: 6
Grant Williams has yet to have a signature moment where he captures headlines, but the reigning SEC Player of the Year might not have to. He’s the best player and clear leader on a Tennessee team that might be ranked No. 1 next week, and that’s the perfect recipe for a National POY contender (just ask Jalen Brunson).
Williams is one of the best all-around players in the nation and leads the Vols in points, rebounds, and steals while ranking second in assists and blocks. His numbers have improved across the board and he is a nightmare mismatch at 6-7 and 235 pounds.
The end of the season is going to be really important for Williams (and for Tennessee). They don’t face a team that is currently ranked until February 16 when they face Kentucky. That starts a stretch where the Vols will face five ranked teams in seven games.
That will give Williams a chance to have those “Heisman moments” at a time when it will matter the most. In the meantime, he just has to keep producing and leading Tennessee to wins.