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What will Tennessee basketball’s Grant Williams do? Should he stay or go?

By Caleb Calhoun

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after being fouled during the second half of the game against Kansas Jayhawks at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after being fouled during the second half of the game against Kansas Jayhawks at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Why Grant Williams should return to Tennessee basketball

As a 6’7″ 236-pound power forward, Grant Williams spent the overwhelming majority of his time with the Vols playing underneath the basket. But Williams does not have the size to simply outmuscle people under the basket.

Because of that, the best way for Williams to become a highly touted NBA prospect is to demonstrate his versatility by improving his three-point shooting and to a lesser degree his midrange. That will make him a complete player in the pros.

Williams has shown he has the potential to do it. After all, he’s already significantly improved his free throw shooting, going from 66.7 percent at the line to 81.9 percent as a junior. He also shot 32.6 percent from three as a junior.

The problem is he needs to shoot more three-pointers and hit them at a higher rate. Williams averaged less than half a made three-pointer a game last year. If he wants to be a highly valued prospect, hitting a three-pointer a game and shooting close to 40 percent could do that. Rick Barnes is also the type of coach who can help a player like Williams improve on that front.

Finally, to a lesser degreeWilliams needs to improve his passing and quick decision making. He’s a solid player on that front already, averaging over three assists a game last year. But he’s got to make those passes and decisions more quickly.

This is especially true when determining whether or not to pass or shoot from the top of the key. That’ll come with more confidence in his shot as well. Doing these things will work wonders for Williams and could be reasons for him to return.

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