Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Nigel Williams-Goss
By Tony Heim
The OKC Thunder are in desperate need of a quality backup point guard, a role perfect for a second round prospect like Nigel Williams-Goss.
If there was ever a time the Oklahoma City Thunder should look for a point guard, it’s now. No, not a Russell Westbrook replacement, but a Russell Westbrook reliever. Nigel Williams-Goss will never challenge Westbrook’s throne in OKC, making him an interesting prospect to consider in the second round.
Specifics
Height: 6’4
Weight: 182 Ibs
Position: Point Guard
Age: 22
College: Gonzaga
Statline: 16.8 points, 6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals, .1 blocks
Current rankings
Please note that rankings are the most up-to-date at the time of writing this. They are subject to change at any moment and for any reason.
Draft Express: 58th overall prospect
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: NR
CBS Sports: 48th overall prospect
Skills
Williams-Goss is the definition of a throwback point guard. He was the motor of a Gonzaga team that nearly won a national championship by averaging almost 5 assists a game despite the Bulldogs’ all-around attack. Williams-Goss doesn’t beat you with athleticism, instead out-crafting you and beating you to a certain spot a la Shaun Livingston.
Related Story: Derrick White prospect review
Standing 6’3 with a 6’7 reach Williams-Goss has good size for a point guard. He uses his length to find tighter passing windows, but he doesn’t look to force something that isn’t there. If the Gonzaga product does find a role in this league it will be due to his high basketball IQ.
Weaknesses
The 22-year old is going to have a difficult time keeping up with NBA guards. Williams-Goss never showed a high propensity on the defensive end in college and that was when he had a size advantage. North Carolina point guard Joel Berry was able to breakdown Williams-Goss far too often in the half court offense; Berry isn’t close to the athletes in the NBA.
On offense it’s hard to project how Williams-Goss will be able to score on his own. His pull-up game is average at best, and without elite speed/size he won’t be able to dribble past/through defenders. Williams-Goss will have to exponentially up his shooting averages in order to be a proficient offensive player.
Honors and awards
Second Team All-American (2017)
Naismith Trophy Semi-Finalist (2017)
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WCC Player of the Year (2017)
The fit
Williams-Goss is an interesting target for the Thunder because of his ability to immediately step in and run the point. But although he is a better prospect than Semaj Christon, he doesn’t seem like a pick for Oklahoma City.
Because the 22-year old is not an elite athlete nor an elite shooter it will be difficult for him to carve out a role in the NBA. He has the all-around basketball skills, but teams are looking for more specialized prospects in this day and age.
There is a chance Williams-Goss goes undrafted. If that does happen it would be worth the minor investment to give him a chance in the Summer League. Other then that, it’s not worth Sam Presti giving up an asset to move into the second round and trade for Nigel Williams-Goss.