Duke Basketball: Analyzing where all 5 players went in 2022 NBA Draft

Mark Williams – No. 15 pick to the Charlotte Hornets

It’s hard for a Duke Basketball player to fly under the radar despite being the ACC Defensive Player of the Year but that was Mark Wiliams’ fate being next to Banchero in the frontcourt last season. He still produced well as a sophomore and was right next to Jalen Duren as the best true center in the entire 2022 NBA Draft.

Although Duren went first to Detroit at No. 13, one could argue that Williams went to the better situation in Charlotte. The first point is that he’s a big upgrade over last season’s starter and fellow former Blue Devil Mason Plumlee, who is a solid veteran and capable rotation piece but can’t be a playoff team’s starting center. And with the backup being the small and defensively-challenged Montrezl Harrell, adding Williams gives the team an elite defender and massive big man to run the floor.

Williams has so much size and mobility that he should definitely have an impact in the NBA on both ends. He’ll catch plenty of lobs from Lamelo Ball and benefit from the Hornets’ backcourt while being capable of being their defensive anchor inside. From a fit and future usage standpoint, it’s hard to see where Williams could’ve ended up that would’ve been a better situation.