NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top 2021 prospect Jonathan Kuminga grabs Duke offer

2020 top-55 prospect Mark Williams thrives during Peach Jam

Four-star center Mark Williams had an outstanding Peach Jam, producing a double-double over five games. The 7-0, 225 pounder averaged 15.4 points per game on 55.9% shooting to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.

The Norfolk (VA) native is ranked among the top 40 players in his class by 247Sports (No. 35), 247Sports Composite (No. 37) and ESPN (No. 32). Rivals only have him slated at No.51 in their rankings.

Williams is not overly explosive athletically, but he possesses a nice blend of length, strength, and mobility. He plays with a tremendous motor and can defend multiple positions. Rebounding and shot-blocking are his two biggest strengths at this point. Offensively, he is limited to finishing around the rim though he is developing as a face-up scorer, ball-handler and passer.

Williams holds 23 scholarship offers overall. UCLA, Ohio State, Stanford, West Virginia, Baylor, and Vanderbilt are among the other offers that he has received. Stanford and Duke are considered the favorites to obtain the Norfolk Academy product with UCLA also a possibility. Williams has yet to make any official visits, although he has taken an unofficial visit to Duke and spoke to Steve Clark of the Devils’ Den about the visit.

“Coach K said I could potentially be a multi-year player. But he wanted to make it clear that he didn’t want that to be offensive in any way, he just wanted to be clear because he said they thought they could help me develop even more than I already have. He said that I’m pretty long and athletic so he’s not worried about my weight or anything like that, he talked more about helping me develop in other ways. He said he would want me to just do what I do best. He said he wouldn’t want to limit me to just playing in the post, but he felt like I could make an impact all over in different ways and he also said that he liked my ability to play defense and make plays for my team.”

Duke is projected to have two more roster spots for next season available after receiving verbal commits from Jeremy Roach and Jalen Johnson. The Blue Devils are in desperate need to add a big man or two in this upcoming recruiting unless Vernon Carey and/or Matthew Hurt do not leave for the NBA. They are favorites to land five-star center Walker Kessler.