NBA Draft 2022: 5 ACC basketball players improving their draft stock

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NBA Draft ACC Basketball Duke Blue Devils center Mark Williams Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC basketball has seen its fair share of parity in 2021-22 as Miami basketball is the current conference leader in the standings. That doesn’t mean players aren’t doing their part to raise their stock in the 2022 NBA Draft as we take a look at five prospects on the rise in this year’s class.

7-foot sophomore Mark Williams, Center, Duke

7-foot sophomore Mark Williams has stepped up a ton, especially in conference play for the Blue Devils. In the month of January, he poured in 12.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 3.6 bpg while shooting 69.8 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line. He’s a big man prospect that’s starting to have his way on both ends of the floor and should certainly have pro scouts salivating with his development as a mobile big man.

He’s proven he can defend multiple positions on the floor and has made opponents pay when they attempt to score on him in the paint. He’s been quite the frontcourt presence with freshman sensation Paolo Banchero in the Duke basketball lineup. He’s a prospect who could find himself in NBA Lottery projections with his ability to defend and score.

Mark Williams put his 7-7 wingspan to good use in Duke’s win over Louisville. Can still improve his pick & roll defense but his combination of reach and activity had a major impact both on the glass and around the rim defensively. Finished with 14 PTS, 11 REBS + 2 BLK in 23 MIN. pic.twitter.com/C7Z5hevwtM
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) January 30, 2022

Williams is one player in the Duke basketball rotation that’s raised his profile this season, averaging 9.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 3.3 bpg through 19 contests so far as the Blue Devils approach the back half of their conference schedule.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave early for the 2022 NBA Draft after the type of seeing he’s had. The league has a need for a new breed of big men and a prospect of his stature that can also handle the ball and develop a jumper on the perimeter makes him a long-term commodity.