Mark Williams (basketball): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American basketball player (born 2001)}} |
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 2001)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} |
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{{Infobox basketball biography |
{{Infobox basketball biography |
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| name = Mark Williams |
| name = Mark Williams |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = |
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| caption = Williams in |
| caption = Williams in 2023 |
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| position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]] |
| position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]] |
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| height_ft = 7 |
| height_ft = 7 |
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| height_in = |
| height_in = 2 |
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| |
| weight_lb = 241 |
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| league = [[ |
| league = [[NBA]] |
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| team = Charlotte Hornets |
| team = Charlotte Hornets |
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| number = 5 |
| number = 5 |
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==High school career== |
==High school career== |
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Williams began his high school basketball career at [[Norfolk Academy]]. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 camp in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]] in the summer of 2018. Williams passed the 1,000 point threshold in February 2019.<ref>{{cite news | |
Williams began his high school basketball career at [[Norfolk Academy]]. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 camp in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]] in the summer of 2018. Williams passed the 1,000 point threshold in February 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Epstein |first=Nathan |title=Mark Williams soaring as one of the most sought-after recruits in America |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/mark-williams-soaring-as-one-of-the-most-sought-after-recruits-in-america/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=WAVY |date=February 13, 2019}}</ref> As a junior, he averaged 19.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game to help the Bulldogs reach the VISAA state tournament. He was selected to the [[USA Today]] All-USA Virginia Boys Basketball second team.<ref name="frankenberry">{{cite news |last=Frankenberry |first=Jami |title=Former Norfolk Academy basketball star Mark Williams commits to Duke |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/757teamz/basketball/vp-sp-mark-williams-duke-20191101-abuy6jn7crborhzp6sfyk4kkni-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> During the 2019 [[Nike Elite Youth Basketball League|Nike EYBL]], Williams averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting 63.8% from the floor. During the Nike Peach Jam in July 2019, Williams averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 76.0 percent in two games for the Boo Williams program.<ref name="borzello">{{cite news |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Top-5 center Mark Williams announces commitment to Duke |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/27983751 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Coming into his senior season, he transferred to [[IMG Academy]], which finished the previous season as the GEICO Nationals champions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jordan |first=Jason |title=Elite center Mark Williams will transfer to IMG Academy |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2019/elite-center-mark-williams-will-transfer-to-img-academy |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=July 19, 2019}}</ref> Williams was named a 2020 [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Norfolk Academy center Mark Williams gains invitation to McDonald's All-American Game |url=https://www.dailypress.com/757teamz/basketball/vp-sp-williams-all-america-game-20200124-qbp6keygejgjrdjbm7mpqie6ta-story.html |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> On January 31, 2020, he posted 19 points and 16 rebounds in a 64–62 win over Hillcrest Prep.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koelble |first=Tim |title=Montverde, IMG reach SJIT final |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/sports/montverde-img-reach-sjit-final/article_9cfd45a4-44a0-11ea-b4a4-171b955ede27.html |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[The Herald-Mail]] |date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> |
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===Recruiting=== |
===Recruiting=== |
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Williams was considered a five-star [[college recruiting|recruit]] by [[247Sports]] and [[Rivals.com|Rivals]], and a four-star recruit by [[ESPN]] in the 2020 class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2020|title=Class of 2020 ESPN 100|website=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool/|title =2020 Top Basketball Recruits|website=[[247Sports]]|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref> On November 1, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke University]], choosing the Blue Devils over [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] and [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] after taking official visits to all three schools.<ref name="borzello" |
Williams was considered a five-star [[college recruiting|recruit]] by [[247Sports]] and [[Rivals.com|Rivals]], and a four-star recruit by [[ESPN]] in the 2020 class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2020|title=Class of 2020 ESPN 100|website=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool/|title =2020 Top Basketball Recruits|website=[[247Sports]]|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref> On November 1, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke University]], choosing the Blue Devils over [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] and [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] after taking official visits to all three schools.<ref name="borzello"/> Williams chose Duke in large part due to the possibility for a national championship, and said he wanted to pattern his game after [[Wendell Carter Jr.]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Mark |title=The Mark Williams Blog: This is why I chose Duke... |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2019/mark-williams-blog-this-is-why-i-chose-duke |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> |
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{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2020}} |
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2020}} |
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| recruit = Mark Williams |
| recruit = Mark Williams |
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| position = [[Center (basketball)|C]] |
| position = [[Center (basketball)|C]] |
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| hometown = [[ |
| hometown = [[Virginia Beach, VA]] |
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| highschool = [[IMG Academy]] (FL) |
| highschool = [[IMG Academy]] (FL) |
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| feet = 7 |
| feet = 7 |
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==College career== |
==College career== |
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=== Freshman season ( |
=== Freshman season (2020–2021) === |
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Before the start of the season, Williams was named to the [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award]] preseason watch list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2020/11/6/mens-basketball-mark-williams-named-to-kareem-abdul-jabbar-award-watch-list.aspx|title=Mark Williams Named to Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List|website=GoDuke.com|date=6 November 2020 |publisher=[[Duke Blue Devils]]|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> On January 30, 2021, he scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 79–53 win over [[Clemson Tigers men's basketball|Clemson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2021/01/duke-basketball-clemson-mark-williams-jalen-johnson-dunk-matthew-hurt-ncaa-tournament|title=Tigers Tamed: Duke men's basketball blows out Clemson behind balanced offensive attack|last=Piazza|first=Jake|date=January 30, 2021|publisher=[[Duke Chronicle]]|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> On February 13, 2021, Williams recorded 13 points and 5 blocks in a 69–53 victory against [[North Carolina State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401260275|title=Hurt, Blue Devils roll past Wolfpack 69–53 in ACC Play|website=ESPN.com|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> On February 22, 2021, he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 85–71 win over [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/2/22/mens-basketball-williams-double-double-helps-duke-top-syracuse-85-71.aspx |
Before the start of the season, Williams was named to the [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award]] preseason watch list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2020/11/6/mens-basketball-mark-williams-named-to-kareem-abdul-jabbar-award-watch-list.aspx|title=Mark Williams Named to Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List|website=GoDuke.com|date=6 November 2020 |publisher=[[Duke Blue Devils]]|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> On January 30, 2021, he scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 79–53 win over [[Clemson Tigers men's basketball|Clemson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2021/01/duke-basketball-clemson-mark-williams-jalen-johnson-dunk-matthew-hurt-ncaa-tournament|title=Tigers Tamed: Duke men's basketball blows out Clemson behind balanced offensive attack|last=Piazza|first=Jake|date=January 30, 2021|publisher=[[Duke Chronicle]]|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> On February 13, 2021, Williams recorded 13 points and 5 blocks in a 69–53 victory against [[North Carolina State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401260275|title=Hurt, Blue Devils roll past Wolfpack 69–53 in ACC Play|website=ESPN.com|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> On February 22, 2021, he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 85–71 win over [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Williams Double-Double Helps Duke Top Syracuse, 85–71 |url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/2/22/mens-basketball-williams-double-double-helps-duke-top-syracuse-85-71.aspx |access-date=February 22, 2021 |website=GoDuke.com}}</ref> On March 10, 2021, Williams recorded another [[double-double]] of 23 points and 19 rebounds in a 70–56 victory against [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] in the second round of the [[2021 ACC men's basketball tournament|ACC tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401300969|title=Williams dominates inside as Duke rolls to ACC quarters|date=March 10, 2021|website=ESPN.com|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> In that game his 19 rebounds set a record for the most ever by a freshman in the ACC Tournament, surpassing former [[Virginia Cavaliers|Virginia]] center and NBA Hall of Famer [[Ralph Sampson]]'s 18 rebounds against [[Clemson Tigers|Clemson]] in the 1980 ACC Tournament and ranking the third highest for a freshman at Duke.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marks |first=Brendan |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Mark Williams is quiet, but his game is plenty loud as he leads Duke to an ACC tournament win |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2441874/2021/03/10/mark-williams-is-quiet-but-his-game-is-plenty-loud-as-he-leads-duke-to-an-acc-tournament-win/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Williams earned All-ACC Tournament second-team honors after averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 14, 2021 |title=Williams Named to ACC All-Tournament Second Team |url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/3/14/mens-basketball-williams-named-to-acc-all-tournament-second-team.aspx |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=GoDuke.com}}</ref> As a freshman, Williams averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krest |first=Shawn |date=April 23, 2021 |title=Mark Williams Returning to Duke For Sophomore Year |url=https://www.si.com/college/duke/basketball/mark-williams-returning-for-sophomore-year |access-date=July 6, 2021 |work=[[247 Sports]]}}</ref> |
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=== Sophomore season ( |
=== Sophomore season (2021–2022) === |
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On January 5, 2022, Williams scored 14 points and 10 rebounds in a |
On January 5, 2022, Williams scored 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 69–57 win against [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|Georgia Tech]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401369861|title=No.2 Duke returns from Covid-19 outbreak, tops Georgia Tech|date=January 5, 2022|website=[[ESPN.com]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref> On February 26, 2022, he scored a career-high 28 points in a 97–72 win over Syracuse.<ref>{{cite news |title=Williams scores 28, No. 7 Duke beats Syracuse 97–72 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401370015 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=[[ESPN]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 26, 2022}}</ref> Williams was named [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] Defensive Player of the Year as well as Third Team All-ACC as a sophomore.<ref name=ACCAwards>{{cite press release|url=https://theacc.com/news/2022/3/6/athlete-awards-acc-unveils-2021-22-mens-basketball-awards.aspx|title=ACC Unveils 2021–22 Men's Basketball Awards |publisher=[[Atlantic Coast Conference]] |date=March 7, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref> As a sophomore, he averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2022/04/duke-mens-basketball-player-review-mark-williams|title=Duke men's basketball 2021–22 player review: Mark Williams|last=Kannoth|first=Suresh|date=April 11, 2022|website=[[Duke Chronicle]]|access-date=November 28, 2023}}</ref> Williams had a very productive sophomore season, his 110 blocked shots ranked fourth-most in a single season in Blue Devil history and his 142 career blocks ranked seventh all time in Duke history. Williams also had a shooting percentage of .721, which ranked the second best in Duke history and was the only player in the country 700+ from both the floor and free throw line.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021–22 Men's Basketball Roster – Mark Williams – Duke Athletics |url=https://goduke.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/mark-williams/17228 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=GoDuke.com}}</ref> |
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On April 18, 2022, Williams declared for the [[2022 NBA draft]], forgoing his remaining college eligibility.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Williams, 'gifted at both ends of the floor,' to leave Duke men's basketball team, enter NBA draft|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33763593 |
On April 18, 2022, Williams declared for the [[2022 NBA draft]], forgoing his remaining college eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Mark Williams, 'gifted at both ends of the floor,' to leave Duke men's basketball team, enter NBA draft |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33763593 |access-date=April 18, 2022 |website=[[ESPN.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> |
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== Professional career == |
== Professional career == |
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=== Charlotte Hornets (2022–present) === |
=== Charlotte Hornets (2022–present) === |
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====Rookie season: |
====Rookie season: 2022–2023==== |
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Williams was selected in the [[2022 NBA draft]] with the 15th overall pick by the [[Charlotte Hornets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=Hornets Select Mark Williams With 15th Pick In 2022 NBA Draft |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/hornets-select-mark-williams-with-15th-pick-in-2022-nba-draft |access-date=2022-06-26 |website= |
Williams was selected in the [[2022 NBA draft]] with the 15th overall pick by the [[Charlotte Hornets]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=Hornets Select Mark Williams With 15th Pick In 2022 NBA Draft |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/hornets-select-mark-williams-with-15th-pick-in-2022-nba-draft |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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On February 10, 2023, after the team's starting center, [[Mason Plumlee]], was traded, Williams earned his first career start and posted a [[double-double]] with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Roderick |date=February 10, 2023 |title=The future is now for the Hornets. The Mark Williams era officially began in Boston |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article272400923.html |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=The Charlotte Observer}}</ref> On February 25, 2023, Williams put up a career-high 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 108–103 win over the [[Miami Heat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401469059|title=Williams, Hornets send Heat to 4th straight defeat |
On February 10, 2023, after the team's starting center, [[Mason Plumlee]], was traded, Williams earned his first career start and posted a [[double-double]] with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Roderick |date=February 10, 2023 |title=The future is now for the Hornets. The Mark Williams era officially began in Boston |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article272400923.html |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=The Charlotte Observer}}</ref> On February 25, 2023, Williams put up a career-high 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 108–103 win over the [[Miami Heat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401469059|title=Williams, Hornets send Heat to 4th straight defeat 108–103|website=[[ESPN]]|date=February 25, 2023|access-date=February 25, 2023}}</ref> |
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==== |
====2023–2024 season==== |
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On November 10, 2023, Williams scored 21 points and a career-high 24 rebounds, with 15 of his rebounds being a career |
On November 10, 2023, Williams scored 21 points and a career-high 24 rebounds, with 15 of his rebounds being a career high and Hornets record for offensive rebounds in a game, in a 124–117 win over the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/hornets-news-mark-williams-alonzo-mourning-larry-johnson-for-epic-charlotte-rebounding-record|title=Hornets center Mark Williams sets epic Charlotte rebounding record|website=ClutchPoints|last=Stone|first=Jackson|date=November 10, 2023|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> Williams injured his back in a late November game against the Brooklyn Nets and played only 19 games during his second season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Callihan |first=Schuyler |date=21 February 2024 |title=NBA Injury Expert Discusses Mark Williams' Lingering Back Issue |url=https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/nba-injury-expert-discusses-mark-williams-lingering-back-issue |work=[[Sports Illustrated]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Career statistics== |
==Career statistics== |
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| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}} |
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}} |
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| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022–23 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]] |
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022–23 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]] |
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| 43 || 17 || 19.3 || .637 || {{sort|-|—}} || .691 || 7.1 || .4 || .7 || 1.0 || 9.0 |
| '''43''' || 17 || 19.3 || .637 || {{sort|-|—}} || .691 || 7.1 || .4 || .7 || 1.0 || 9.0 |
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|- |
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| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}} |
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| style="text-align:left;"| [[2023–24 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]] |
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| 19 || '''19''' || '''26.8''' || '''.649''' || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.719''' || '''9.7''' || '''1.2''' || '''.8''' || '''1.1''' || '''12.7''' |
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|- class="sortbottom" |
|- class="sortbottom" |
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| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career |
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career |
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| |
| 62 || 36 || 21.6 || .642 || {{sort|-|—}} || .702 || 7.9 || .6 || .7 || 1.0 || 10.1 |
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{{S-end}} |
{{S-end}} |
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| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2020–21]] |
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2020–21]] |
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| style="text-align:left;"| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] |
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] |
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| 23 || 15 || 15.2 || .664 || |
| 23 || 15 || 15.2 || .664 || {{sort|-|—}} || .537 || 4.5 || .7 || '''.6''' || 1.4 || 7.1 |
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|- |
|- |
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| style="text-align:left;"| [[2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2021–22]] |
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2021–22]] |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Williams was born to Nigerian parents, Margaret and Dr. Alex Williams, on December 16, 2001. His father is a physician with a subspecialty in gastroenterology. Williams has two older sisters, Victoria and Elizabeth. [[Elizabeth Williams (basketball)|Elizabeth]] played college basketball at [[Duke Blue Devils women's basketball|Duke]] from 2011 to 2015 before being selected fourth in the [[2015 WNBA draft]].<ref name="borzello" |
Williams was born to Nigerian parents, Margaret and Dr. Alex Williams, on December 16, 2001. His father is a physician with a subspecialty in gastroenterology. Williams has two older sisters, Victoria and Elizabeth. [[Elizabeth Williams (basketball)|Elizabeth]] played college basketball at [[Duke Blue Devils women's basketball|Duke]] from 2011 to 2015 before being selected fourth in the [[2015 WNBA draft]].<ref name="borzello"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:2001 births]] |
[[Category:2001 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American |
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]] |
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[[Category:American basketball players of Nigerian descent]] |
[[Category:American basketball players of Nigerian descent]] |
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[[Category:American men's basketball players]] |
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[[Category:Basketball players from Norfolk, Virginia]] |
[[Category:Basketball players from Norfolk, Virginia]] |
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[[Category:Centers (basketball)]] |
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]] |
Revision as of 08:48, 29 December 2024
No. 5 – Charlotte Hornets | |
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Position | Center |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | December 16, 2001
Listed height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
Listed weight | 241 lb (109 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
|
College | Duke (2020–2022) |
NBA draft | 2022: 1st round, 15th overall pick |
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets | |
Playing career | 2022–present |
Career history | |
2022–present | Charlotte Hornets |
2022 | →Greensboro Swarm |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball Reference |
Mark Oluwafemi Williams (born December 16, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.
High school career
Williams began his high school basketball career at Norfolk Academy. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 camp in Charlottesville, Virginia in the summer of 2018. Williams passed the 1,000 point threshold in February 2019.[1] As a junior, he averaged 19.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game to help the Bulldogs reach the VISAA state tournament. He was selected to the USA Today All-USA Virginia Boys Basketball second team.[2] During the 2019 Nike EYBL, Williams averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting 63.8% from the floor. During the Nike Peach Jam in July 2019, Williams averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 76.0 percent in two games for the Boo Williams program.[3] Coming into his senior season, he transferred to IMG Academy, which finished the previous season as the GEICO Nationals champions.[4] Williams was named a 2020 McDonald's All-American.[5] On January 31, 2020, he posted 19 points and 16 rebounds in a 64–62 win over Hillcrest Prep.[6]
Recruiting
Williams was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and a four-star recruit by ESPN in the 2020 class.[7][8] On November 1, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for Duke University, choosing the Blue Devils over Michigan and UCLA after taking official visits to all three schools.[3] Williams chose Duke in large part due to the possibility for a national championship, and said he wanted to pattern his game after Wendell Carter Jr.[9]
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
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Mark Williams C |
Virginia Beach, VA | IMG Academy (FL) | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Nov 1, 2019 | |
Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 89 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 31 247Sports: 18 ESPN: 32 | ||||||
Sources:
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College career
Freshman season (2020–2021)
Before the start of the season, Williams was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award preseason watch list.[10] On January 30, 2021, he scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 79–53 win over Clemson.[11] On February 13, 2021, Williams recorded 13 points and 5 blocks in a 69–53 victory against NC State.[12] On February 22, 2021, he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 85–71 win over Syracuse.[13] On March 10, 2021, Williams recorded another double-double of 23 points and 19 rebounds in a 70–56 victory against Louisville in the second round of the ACC tournament.[14] In that game his 19 rebounds set a record for the most ever by a freshman in the ACC Tournament, surpassing former Virginia center and NBA Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson's 18 rebounds against Clemson in the 1980 ACC Tournament and ranking the third highest for a freshman at Duke.[15] Williams earned All-ACC Tournament second-team honors after averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.[16] As a freshman, Williams averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.[17]
Sophomore season (2021–2022)
On January 5, 2022, Williams scored 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 69–57 win against Georgia Tech.[18] On February 26, 2022, he scored a career-high 28 points in a 97–72 win over Syracuse.[19] Williams was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as well as Third Team All-ACC as a sophomore.[20] As a sophomore, he averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.[21] Williams had a very productive sophomore season, his 110 blocked shots ranked fourth-most in a single season in Blue Devil history and his 142 career blocks ranked seventh all time in Duke history. Williams also had a shooting percentage of .721, which ranked the second best in Duke history and was the only player in the country 700+ from both the floor and free throw line.[22]
On April 18, 2022, Williams declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[23]
Professional career
Charlotte Hornets (2022–present)
Rookie season: 2022–2023
Williams was selected in the 2022 NBA draft with the 15th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets.[24]
On February 10, 2023, after the team's starting center, Mason Plumlee, was traded, Williams earned his first career start and posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Boston Celtics.[25] On February 25, 2023, Williams put up a career-high 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 108–103 win over the Miami Heat.[26]
2023–2024 season
On November 10, 2023, Williams scored 21 points and a career-high 24 rebounds, with 15 of his rebounds being a career high and Hornets record for offensive rebounds in a game, in a 124–117 win over the Washington Wizards.[27] Williams injured his back in a late November game against the Brooklyn Nets and played only 19 games during his second season.[28]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022–23 | Charlotte | 43 | 17 | 19.3 | .637 | — | .691 | 7.1 | .4 | .7 | 1.0 | 9.0 |
2023–24 | Charlotte | 19 | 19 | 26.8 | .649 | — | .719 | 9.7 | 1.2 | .8 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
Career | 62 | 36 | 21.6 | .642 | — | .702 | 7.9 | .6 | .7 | 1.0 | 10.1 |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020–21 | Duke | 23 | 15 | 15.2 | .664 | — | .537 | 4.5 | .7 | .6 | 1.4 | 7.1 |
2021–22 | Duke | 39 | 39 | 23.6 | .721 | .000 | .727 | 7.4 | .9 | .5 | 2.8 | 11.2 |
Career | 62 | 54 | 20.5 | .704 | .000 | .661 | 6.3 | .8 | .5 | 2.3 | 9.7 |
Personal life
Williams was born to Nigerian parents, Margaret and Dr. Alex Williams, on December 16, 2001. His father is a physician with a subspecialty in gastroenterology. Williams has two older sisters, Victoria and Elizabeth. Elizabeth played college basketball at Duke from 2011 to 2015 before being selected fourth in the 2015 WNBA draft.[3]
References
- ^ Epstein, Nathan (February 13, 2019). "Mark Williams soaring as one of the most sought-after recruits in America". WAVY. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Frankenberry, Jami (November 1, 2019). "Former Norfolk Academy basketball star Mark Williams commits to Duke". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c Borzello, Jeff (November 1, 2019). "Top-5 center Mark Williams announces commitment to Duke". ESPN. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Jordan, Jason (July 19, 2019). "Elite center Mark Williams will transfer to IMG Academy". USA Today. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ "Former Norfolk Academy center Mark Williams gains invitation to McDonald's All-American Game". Daily Press. January 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Koelble, Tim (January 31, 2020). "Montverde, IMG reach SJIT final". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ "Class of 2020 ESPN 100". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "2020 Top Basketball Recruits". 247Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Mark (November 1, 2019). "The Mark Williams Blog: This is why I chose Duke..." USA Today. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ "Mark Williams Named to Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List". GoDuke.com. Duke Blue Devils. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Piazza, Jake (January 30, 2021). "Tigers Tamed: Duke men's basketball blows out Clemson behind balanced offensive attack". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Hurt, Blue Devils roll past Wolfpack 69–53 in ACC Play". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Williams Double-Double Helps Duke Top Syracuse, 85–71". GoDuke.com. February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ "Williams dominates inside as Duke rolls to ACC quarters". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Marks, Brendan (March 11, 2021). "Mark Williams is quiet, but his game is plenty loud as he leads Duke to an ACC tournament win". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Williams Named to ACC All-Tournament Second Team". GoDuke.com. March 14, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ Krest, Shawn (April 23, 2021). "Mark Williams Returning to Duke For Sophomore Year". 247 Sports. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ "No.2 Duke returns from Covid-19 outbreak, tops Georgia Tech". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 5, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "Williams scores 28, No. 7 Duke beats Syracuse 97–72". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ "ACC Unveils 2021–22 Men's Basketball Awards" (Press release). Atlantic Coast Conference. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ Kannoth, Suresh (April 11, 2022). "Duke men's basketball 2021–22 player review: Mark Williams". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "2021–22 Men's Basketball Roster – Mark Williams – Duke Athletics". GoDuke.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Mark Williams, 'gifted at both ends of the floor,' to leave Duke men's basketball team, enter NBA draft". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ "Hornets Select Mark Williams With 15th Pick In 2022 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Boone, Roderick (February 10, 2023). "The future is now for the Hornets. The Mark Williams era officially began in Boston". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ "Williams, Hornets send Heat to 4th straight defeat 108–103". ESPN. February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ Stone, Jackson (November 10, 2023). "Hornets center Mark Williams sets epic Charlotte rebounding record". ClutchPoints. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Callihan, Schuyler (February 21, 2024). "NBA Injury Expert Discusses Mark Williams' Lingering Back Issue". Sports Illustrated.
External links
- 2001 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American sportsmen
- American basketball players of Nigerian descent
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Norfolk, Virginia
- Centers (basketball)
- Charlotte Hornets draft picks
- Charlotte Hornets players
- Duke Blue Devils men's basketball players
- Greensboro Swarm players
- IMG Academy alumni
- McDonald's High School All-Americans