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Hornets center omitted from list of under 25 bigs with highest ceiling

By James Mastrucci

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 07: Mark Williams #5 of the Charlotte Hornets posts up during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at Greensboro Coliseum Complex on October 07, 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 07: Mark Williams #5 of the Charlotte Hornets posts up during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at Greensboro Coliseum Complex on October 07, 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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A recent list of Top 10 bigs with the highest ceiling was recently published and a member of the Charlotte Hornets is notably absent. It was determined by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley that Hornets big man Mark Williams is not one of the 10 NBA bigs under 25 with the highest ceiling.

Buckley’s list includes (from 10-1) Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton, Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu, Houston’s Alperen Sengun, Utah’s Walker Kessler, Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr., Memphis’s Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, New Orleans’s Zion Williamson, and unsurprisingly San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. Considering the list of names, it is far from shocking to see Williams not crack the Top 10.

In addition to various trade proposals that have the Hornets acquiring a big man, the fact that the 21-year-old Williams does not make this list provides a little more insight into how Williams is viewed amongst the rest of the NBA landscape. Williams’ run at the end of the year was encouraging, but he is still far from being considered as one of the league’s top young big men.

It is more than obvious that people want to see more from Williams than just his 17 starts to end the disastrous 2022-23 campaign. The near double-double (11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds) was impressive for the 21-year-old big man, but his overall skillset offensively leaves a lot to be desired. Williams should be able to be a solid defensive big but ultimately will be very limited when it comes to his scoring output.

Could things change resulting in Williams being viewed more favorably among the other young big men in the NBA? Sure, but that is not something anyone should feel comfortable betting on. The offensive ceilings of the players on Buckley’s list are significantly higher than anything Williams should be able to accomplish during his time in the league.

At the end of the day, it is about understanding where Williams fits when compared to the NBA’s other big men. Can he be a solid but unspectacular big like Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen? Sure. Will he ever be anything more than that? Unlikely.

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