Pac-12 Basketball: Underappreciated player from each team for 2020-21

OMAHA, NE - DECEMBER 04: Head Dana Altman talks to Eugene Omoruyi #2, Chris Duarte #5, and LJ Figueroa #30 during a college basketball game against the Seton Hall Pirates on December 4, 2020 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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Pac-12 Basketball Noah Williams Washington State Cougars (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Washington State Cougars – Noah Williams

Under 2nd-year coach Kyle Smith the Washington State Cougars are 11-7 currently and have been led by a top 50 kenpom defense. With losing CJ Elleby to the NBA and seniors Jeff Pollard and Jerome Robinson the Cougs will be looking for other players to step up.

Sophomore Noah Williams who figures to be a top contender for Pac 12 most improved player of the year entered his freshmen season as a good defender but needed to improve his offensive play. Not only has Williams kept up the good defense normally guarding the best wing scorer on the other team.

He has improved his points per game by over twice as much going from 6.2- 13.3 his field goal percentage has gone from 36.6 percent to 44.5 and his free throw percentage has gone from 72.2-78.0. But Williams has shown an incredible amount of improvement from the three-point line from 14.8 percent his freshman year to 44.9% this season. He has added the ability to get to his pull up jumper and can also catch and shoot from a couple of feet behind the line.

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Williams hit 4 threes total last season and has made 31 so far this season. His large improvement as a shooter has helped Washington State and might win him PAC 12 Most Improved Player of the Year.

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