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NBA Summer League: Grant Williams proved he was a first-rounder

By Billy Williford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies fouls Grant Williams #40 of the Boston Celtics during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The foul on Williams was ruled flagrant and Allen was ejected from the game. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies fouls Grant Williams #40 of the Boston Celtics during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The foul on Williams was ruled flagrant and Allen was ejected from the game. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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No one should overstate NBA Summer League performances. However, Grant Williams showed he deserved to be a first-round draft pick.

Grant Williams was one of the best college basketball players the past two seasons. In fact, many things point to it not even being a contest.

The junior forward led the Vols to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances as high seeds. He was also named as the SEC Player of the Year two season in a row, something that hasn’t happened since the early 1990s.

The Boston Celtics selected Williams with the No.22 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Again, all we have to look at is Summer League performance, but so far, the Celtics made the right decision.

Boston began their Summer League run in a 96-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams came off the bench scoring 12 points in 20 minutes of action. He shot 50 percent from the field, including 2-for-4 from the three-point line, where there were a lot of questions about his game.

Could Williams add the deep-range jumper to his skill set? If so, how long would it take? I believe we got the answer to our question in his first appearance.

Williams added six rebounds, two assists, and two steals to an all-around solid performance for his first NBA experience.

Game two was against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston got out to an early 30-17 lead after the first quarter and took an 89-72 win. Williams again came off the bench scoring just five points in 19 minutes of action. He didn’t impact the game scoring, but he was able to add six rebounds, three assists, and one block.

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Williams received the start in game three and tied with Carsen Edwards with the most shot attempts on the team. Boston beat the Nuggets 95-82 thanks to a big 16 points from Williams on 6-for-12 from the floor, including 0-for-4 from the three-point line.

In the Summer finale, the Celtics took on the Memphis Grizzlies. Grayson Allen, known punk from his days at Duke, wanted to start with Williams. He even took a swing with his elbow and got rejected from the game.

Williams got his second start, and it worked out for Boston. Williams scored 21 points, most on the team, on 6-for-10 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from the three-point line.

The Celtics got the number one seed in the tournament but were put out in a rematch with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon.

Despite going out in the first round, Boston has to be happy with their young talent, especially Grant Williams. He finished the Summer League averaging 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Williams shot 21-for-45 from the floor, including 7-for-19 from the three-point line.

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The start of the NBA season is right around the corner, and Williams should be in play for a lot of meaningful minutes. I’d say it’s safe to say Boston made the right decision with the No.22 pick overall.

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