Prospect Overview
Wide-bodied center who embraced a platoon style bench role at Purdue where he showed the ability to impose his will on games in the post but also displayed excellent feel as a passer.
About Trevion Williams
Trevion Williams is a long, strong, tough center who scored steadily in the post throughout his time at Purdue but grew into one of the best passing big men in college basketball as a senior. Considered a fringe top-125 prospect in the high school class of 2018 following his senior year at Henry Ford Academy (MI), the Chicago native was productive in a minor role as a freshman at Purdue under Head Coach Matt Painter, averaging 5.2 points and 4 rebounds over 10 minutes per game, but broke out as a sophomore and averaging 15.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a junior as the Boilermakers’ first option.
Embracing a move to the bench as a senior, the 21-year old big man saw fewer minutes, but had the most efficient year of his career averaging 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3 assists over 20 minutes per game to earn Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Big Ten third team.
• Measured standing 6’8.75 in shoes with a powerfully built 265-pound frame and a 7’2.75 wingspan, Williams is a big bodied center who is more physical than explosive but has better feet than one might expect of a player with his dimensions having trimmed down quite a bit in recent years.
• Carrying a heavy shot creating burden when he was on the floor, Williams was the focal point of Purdue offense regardless of his playing time. Doing much of his scoring from the post using his physicality and crafty footwork to create angles, the senior punished opposing big men inside but also frequently served as a facilitator for the Boilermakers as well. Often stepping out and reading the defense from the point, passing out of double teams, and threading block-to-block passes in creative fashion, Williams had some truly spectacular moments as a passer last season. Making some strides with his conditioning to run the floor more consistently, knocking down several three-point attempts, and providing a presence on the offensive glass when manning the pivot, he had a very strong senior season and made some notable strides with his skill set even if it was in a smaller role than he played as a junior.
• Lacking a degree of lift to protect the rim at a high level and the quickness to switch frequently on the perimeter, Williams hangs his hat on his physicality on the glass as he has been one of the best defensive rebounders in the college game in recent years.
Advanced Stats
• Playing a somewhat unique role relative to most NBA prospects and especially those at the center spot, Williams’ scoring efficiency was defined by the massive volume of his shots he created himself in the post and the number of shots he created for others as a passer from the point, the elbow, and the block. Getting few catch and finish opportunities, the senior earned everything this season on the offensive end and often simplified the game for his teammates.
• Ranking among the most productive post players in the country in recent history on a per-minute basis, Williams scored the ball pretty well, but stood out with his ability to find the open man. Averaging 0.89 points per post up possession [61st percentile], he has great variety in his moves on the block but likes to operate from the left side and was a bit more consistent with touch scoring from tight angles some nights than others. Carrying Purdue on several occasions from the post in recent years, Williams was a workhorse on the block for the last three seasons as the Boilermakers pounded the ball inside like few programs in the country.
• Not the bounciest big man, Williams nonetheless thrived when he could get a finishing opportunity inside scoring 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [88th percentile]. His combination of coordination and physicality often stood out in close as he initiated contact playing angles but also finished reverse layups with good body control extending the ball away from the defense.
• Scoring 0.91 points per jump shot in the half court [52nd percentile] on limited attempts while struggling some at the foul line, Williams looked more comfortable than one might expect shooting from the perimeter for a player who seldom shot the three over his four collegiate seasons. He similarly has some surprisingly crafty moves he used as a ball handler isolating in the mid-post. Filling a clear role in the Boilermakers’ system, it would not be surprising to see Williams expand his game as a pro much the same way he improved as a passer between his junior and senior seasons. He was arguably the best passing big man in college basketball last season.
Defensive Analysis
• Using his frame and length very effectively on the glass, Williams did his best work defensive on the boards. He finds a body when pursuing rebounds and has very strong hands that compliment his nose for the ball.
• While he showed some instincts in spurts blocking shots and getting in the passing lanes, he is more strong than especially quick or explosive.
• Allowing 0.72 points per one-on-one possession [65th percentile], Williams was difficult to move on the block and made an effort to leave a cushion when switches on the perimeter despite giving up size and quickness in some individual matchups.
Profile by Synergy Sports
