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Tennessee basketball: Four Vols in 2020 NBA Playoffs

By Caleb Calhoun

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images /

18. Scouting Report. Power Forward. Boston Celtics. Grant Williams. Pick Analysis. 3. player

Rookie; 6’6″ 236 pounds

Arguably the best player in Tennessee basketball history, Grant Williams has been a solid rotational player for the Boston Celtics all year in his rookie season. As an undersized power forward without a lot of athleticism, Boston took him in the first round expecting him to eventually be able to stretch the floor with his shot and use his width to play big underneath.

That has worked out well for the most part. Williams has averaged 15 minutes a game and played in 69 of the Celtics’ 72 games. He is averaging nearly three and a half points a game, over two and a half rebounds a game and one assist a game. It’s also worth noting that he’s averaging half a block and nearly one steal a game.

The one knock against Williams so far is that his shooting efficiency hasn’t translated yet, and that decreased his usage rate in the bubble. Before Boston’s final two meaningless games against the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, when they had already locked up the third seed, Williams never played more than 10 minutes in the bubble.

Now, he did find ways to be productive anyway, including scoring four points in nine minutes against the Toronto Raptors and hitting a three-pointer in just six minute against the Brooklyn Nets. It’s certain that Brad Stevens will give him some action in Boston’s first round NBA Playoffs series against the Philadelphia 76ers, but his minutes will likely be limited until he develops.

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