2010 NBA Draft Preview: Latavious Williams

After a great first year in Tulsa, the 66ers' forward has a good chance at getting drafted next Thursday.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:48 am

By: News On 6

2010 NBA Draft Preview: Latavious Williams

Originally Published: Jun 16, 2010 10:11 PM CDT

2010 NBA Draft previews from Oklahoma Sports
- Latavious Williams
- James Anderson
- Tommy Mason-Griffin
- Tiny Gallon
- Willie Warren
- Ben Uzoh
- Jerome Jordan
- Ekpe Udoh
- Daniel Orton
- Xavier Henry

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Like a lot of basketball players, Latavious Williams dreamed of playing in the NBA. Come Next Thursday night, the Tulsa 66ers’ standout might see his dream come true.

The 2010 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 24th at 6 p.m., and Williams could hear his name called. The 6-foot-8 forward starred for the D-League runners up a season ago, catching the eyes of NBA scouts. Some draft projections say he’ll be taken as high as the 46th overall pick. Others predict he’ll have to wait until the final pick in the final round.

Wherever he winds up, and however he gets there, Williams has the tools to make an immediate impact on his new team. He averaged 11.3 points and eight rebounds per game in his first year with the 66ers and developed into a go-to scoring option as the team made a push towards the playoffs.

Williams’ size is good, but his upside is even bigger. He’s not a typical 21-year-old shooter. Having spent a year in professional basketball already, NBA coaches will be able to mold him into the kind of player they need without having to hold his hand through the transition from preps to pros.

Williams certainly took the unconventional route to the sport’s biggest stage. With below-average grades in high school, Williams decided to forgo college hoops in favor of a year of professional ball in the NBDL.

Draft Express ranks him as the 52nd-best prospect. NBDL eyes say he has a “terrific nose for the ball” and expect that to translate to the next level. Scouts like his ability to score in transition, but say he needs work in half court sets in the NBA.

Williams was a star at Life Center Academy in Starkville, MS. He starred in the D-League. This fall, he may become a star in the NBA.