Name: Michael Carter-Williams
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-6
Position: Point Guard
School/Country: Syracuse
Latest Stats: 11.9 ppg, 7.3 apg, 4.9 rpg, 2.8 spg
Michael Carter-Williams is more than just an intriguing prospect by way of Syracuse. At 6-foot-6 his size virtually speaks for himself at the point guard position. Carter-Williams has a height advantage over nearly every player he matches up against and can stuff the stat sheet because of it. Carter-Williams burst onto the scene during the 2012-13 season, helping the Orange advance all the way to the Final Four. He averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game this past year and his athleticism and general awareness is what could make him a very valuable point guard at the NBA level.
Carter-Williams can be turnover prone at times, averaging 3.4 per game this season. He may not be completely refined, but that’s because he only saw an increase in minutes and an opportunity to be a leader just this past season. As a 6-foot-6 point guard however, Carter-Williams has a bright future and should surely hear his name called within the lottery portion of the 2013 NBA Draft.
Strengths: His biggest strength is obvious — it’s his size. Carter-Williams’ height advantage will play a crucial role, not only in his potential at the NBA level, but also in terms of his comfort-ability. From a point guard perspective, it’s always nice to be able to see over the top. Carter-Williams loves to get out and push the basketball and his athleticism can make him very difficult to slow down. His size and length can also make him a nightmare match-up on the defensive end.
Weaknesses: The biggest fault in Carter-Williams’ projection is his age (21) and shooting ability. He shot just 29.2% from beyond the arc in 2012-13, which is added into a 39.3% overall mark from the field. Carter-Williams has a considerably high ceiling, but he needs to continue to make strides alongside his move to the NBA. If he can prove to be a reliable point guard at the next level, than a long and bright future is surely ahead of him.
Draft Projection: Lottery Pick
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
