Williams put together an encouraging rookie season, with most of his production coming toward the back of the year. The Hornets began the campaign with Mason Plumlee as their starting center, eventually moving on from him via a trade to the Clippers. From that point, Williams assumed the starting role most nights, doing what many had hoped since he was taken with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft. In just 19.3 minutes per game, Williams ended as the 128th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 9.0 points on 63.7 percent shooting from the floor, adding 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. Should he land the starting role for his sophomore season, his playing time should increase appropriately, meaning the top 120 should be considered his floor. He doesn't have the block upside of someone like Walker Kessler, but he should be able to flirt with 1.5 swats per game while rolling out consistent double-doubles. The lack of name recognition should work in his favor regarding ADP, likely placing him outside the top 100 in many spots. Anyone who misses out on an elite big man earlier in the draft should certainly consider Williams anywhere in this range. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a two-year, $7.63 million contract with the Hornets in July of 2022. Contract includes $4.09 million team option for 2024-25.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Mark Oluwafemi Williams was born Dec. 16, 2001 in Norfolk, Virginia. His older sister, Elizabeth, played at Duke from 2011-2015 and plays for the Washington Mystics at the time of Mark being drafted. Williams was a four-star center in high school and played three years at Norfolk Academy before transferring to IMG Academy ahead of his senior season. He was a 2020 McDonald's All-American and was chosen to participate in the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams committed to Duke in 2019 and played for the Blue Devils during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He started in 15 of 23 appearances as a freshman and averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game. However, he took on a larger role during the 2021-22 campaign and averaged 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game while serving exclusively as a starter. He declared for the NBA Draft on April 18, 2022. He was selected by the Hornets with the 15th overall pick.
Undergoes thumb surgery
CCharlotte Hornets
Thumb
June 14, 2023
The Hornets announced Wednesday that Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
ANALYSIS Williams missed most of March due to the thumb issue but suited up for six of the Hornets' final eight games. He's expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp and should be back in time for the start of the 2023-24 season, when he'll likely settle back in as Charlotte's top center. In 17 appearances as a starter during his rookie campaign, Williams averaged 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 26.9 minutes.
2022 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
Loading Split Stats...
2022 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
Loading Split Stats...
2022 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
Loading Split Stats...
2022 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
Loading Split Stats...
Advanced Stats
Loading Advanced Stats...
2022
Stat Review
How does Mark Williams compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
65.9%
Effective Field Goal %
63.7%
3-Point Attempt Rate
0.0%
Free Throw Rate
38.6%
Offensive Rebound %
11.7%
Defensive Rebound %
27.7%
Total Rebound %
19.6%
Assist %
3.3%
Steal %
1.4%
Block %
4.7%
Turnover %
11.3%
Usage %
17.0%
Fantasy Points Per Game
22.3
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.2
Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
Loading Historical Fantasy Stats...
NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
Loading Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats...
NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
Loading Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats...
Historical ADP
Loading Historical ADP...
Hornets Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Mark Williams was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Average Minutes...
Loading FanDuel Points...
Loading DraftKings Points...
Loading Yahoo Points...
Loading FantasyDraft Points...
Loading Head2Head Points...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Mark Williams See More
Nikola Jokic won a title with the Nuggets last year and enters the year as one of the top fantasy options, even after missing out on MVP last year. Adam King breaks down fantasy tiers for centers for 2023-24.
Studying the center landscape, Alex Barutha spotlights risers to grab early in drafts and sleepers to secure late. Will the Pistons officially hand the reins to Jalen Duren after an impressive rookie year?
Jayson Tatum is among the elite fantasy forwards heading into the 2023-24 season. Steve Alexander breaks down tiers of forwards to help fantasy managers prepare for drafts.
Check out RotoWire's first NBA Fantasy dynasty mock of the 2023-24 season. How high did members of this year's draft class go? Where were young up-and-comers like Cade Cunningham selected?
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Performing in bigger role
CCharlotte Hornets
March 9, 2023
Williams is averaging 11.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.4 blocks in 11 games since becoming the Hornets' starting center.
ANALYSIS Williams now has a firm grasp on Charlotte's starting center role. Prior to this 11-game stretch, Williams averaged just 14.0 minutes per game off the bench in 25 appearances. He's still raw and on a learning curve, but Williams is delivering good numbers and should be rostered in most standard leagues.
The Hornets chose Williams with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 Draft. During his second and final season at Duke in 2021-22, he averaged 11.2 points on a whopping 72.1 percent shooting from the field and 72.7 percent from the charity stripe, 7.4 rebounds (2.6 offensive) and 2.8 blocks in 23.5 minutes. The center was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and also claimed Third Team All-ACC honors. Though Williams struggled with his shot in five Summer League games (44.1 percent), he demonstrated his rebounding and defensive upside with 7.4 boards and 2.4 combined blocks-plus-steals in 19.4 minutes. His smooth and explosive athleticism and 7-foot-7 wingspan should translate to the NBA right away, and good offensive rebounding is always a nice bonus. The quality free-throw shooting will also help keep him on the court and help fantasy managers, and he may possess some perimeter shooting upside given his proficiency. Even if that doesn't develop and Williams is limited to being a pick-and-roll big on offense, he'll be a great lob target. He should have an opportunity to contribute immediately as a rookie in Charlotte. His main competition is Mason Plumlee, who saw just 24.6 minutes per game last season. P.J. Washington may also spend some time at center, but he projects as the team's starting power forward and should see most of his minutes there. Fantasy managers who want to take a gamble at the end of a draft on a shot-blocking big can look to Williams, though he's probably best suited for deeper formats as a rookie. There could be a true payoff in dynasty/keeper formats as soon as next year with Plumlee's contract expiring.
More Fantasy News
Ends season with career day
CCharlotte Hornets
April 9, 2023
Williams logged 22 points (9-10 FG, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 30 minutes during Sunday's 106-95 win over the Cavaliers.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Starting Friday
CCharlotte Hornets
April 7, 2023
Williams (ankle) is starting Friday against the Rockets.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Probable Friday
CCharlotte Hornets
Ankle
April 6, 2023
Williams (ankle) is probable for Friday's game against the Rockets.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Officially out
CCharlotte Hornets
Ankle
April 4, 2023
Williams (ankle) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Raptors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Receives downgrade to doubtful
CCharlotte Hornets
Ankle
April 4, 2023
Williams (ankle) is now considered doubtful to take the floor Tuesday versus the Raptors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.