Ziaire Williams

Updated on 7/31/2021. Written by Alan Lu.
2021 rankings were finalized on 7/29/21.

Height: 6-9
Weight: 188
College: Stanford
Classification: Freshman
Birthdate: 9/12/2001

2021 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 29
Projected Draft Range: Mid 1st to 2nd Round
2021 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 10 by the New Orleans Pelicans
(Rights traded to the Memphis Grizzlies)

Pros:
Adequate scorer off the dribble
Excels at scoring on off-ball motion plays
Decent playmaker
Solid rebounder
Solid defender that can get steals and blocks
Very good athlete

Cons:
Needs to improve his shooting
Tends to shy away from contact
Does not draw enough free throws
Prone to hoisting up questionable shots
Can play too wildly on offense
Gambles too much defensively
Needs to add strength
Questionable feel for the game
Has had a disappointing freshman season

Summary:
Ziaire Williams is a very athletic, skilled player that possesses a strong blend of athleticism, versatility, and all-around skills. He is a high-flyer that can throw down thunderous dunks around the basket, and he also can pull up to knock down a flurry of jumpers, especially from mid-range.

He also is an unselfish player that can find teammates on the move, and he is a rangy defender that can play shut down defense. While he has shown the ability to knock down outside shots, he will need to be much more consistent in making three-point shots from beyond the arc. He also can struggle to get all the way to the hoop on drives to the basket. After having a sterling debut where he scored 19 points and had 8 rebounds in his team’s win over Alabama, Williams did not play nearly as well since, and he ended up putting up poor shooting percentages this season.

Right now, his draft stock is fairly high, but he was maddeningly inefficient as a shooter and scorer this past season. Ziaire Williams’ stock may be high for now, but don’t be surprised if he ends up getting drafted lower than expected.

Links:
RealGM Profile
NBADraft.Net Profile
ESPN’s 2021 NBA Mock Draft
Stanford Bio
The NBA’s 2021 NBA Draft Combine Player Measurements

Games Scouted:
7/2/2019 USA vs. Senegal
1/11/2020 Sierra Canyon vs. Rancho Christian
1/18/20 Sierra Canyon vs. Dominican
11/30/20 Stanford vs. Alabama
12/1/20 Stanford vs. North Carolina
1/2/21 Stanford vs. Oregon
1/7/21 Stanford vs. Washington

If you use any portion of this material, please credit NBA Scouting Live.