VITALS: 6-2, 189, sophomore, Alabama OVERVIEW: Williams spent two seasons at Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to the Southeastern Conference West division title as a freshman. Williams averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 assists that season and was a unanimous choice for SEC Freshman of the Year. The Mississippi native averaged 16.4 points and 3.9 assists this past season, leading Alabama in both categories. He scored 20 points or more on nine different occasions and turned in a 26-point performance in a loss to Indiana to close Alabama's season. Williams was named a SEC third team selection both seasons. Williams is a career 29 percent 3-point shooter, although he is also a career 85 percent foul shooter. Williams played high school basketball at Murrah, the same school that produced current New York Knick Othella Harrington. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second round. Chicago (36, 45), Minnesota (26, 55), New Jersey (22, 51) and Seattle (41) all worked out Williams this month. A solid Chicago camp helped Williams' cause as well. However, being drafted in the first round is not likely. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Tony Parker, J.R. Bremer COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Rumeal Robinson, Erick Barkley, Trevor Ruffin ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve. POSITIVES: Williams is a dynamic scorer off the dribble. He has great lateral quickness and changes direction easily to get through traffic. Williams also hits clutch shots and is not afraid to miss a big shot. His assist totals at the college level were solid, and he has solid size for an NBA point guard. SHORTCOMINGS: As a playmaker, Williams looks for his own shot before he looks for his teammates. He is an immature decision-maker and may not understand what it takes to win - this season, Alabama went from No. 1 in January to nearly not receiving an NCAA Tournament bid in March. It is clear Williams needs to improve his understanding of basketball in addition to becoming more consistent. Many NBA point guards end up in Europe or the NBDL if they have not used college to do that. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Maurice is clearly an up-and-down player. I think the jury is still out on whether he can run the pick-and-roll. I want to see if he can turn the corner, penetrate and create for other people, and be more of a classic point guard where you look for your teammates first. But I like his energy and aggressiveness." Denver Nuggets draft consultant Kim Hughes
