Comparing Duke basketball freshman class to Michigan’s Fab Five

CENTER: Duke basketball’s Mark Williams vs. Michigan’s Juwan Howard

In 1991, Juwan Howard sat just two spots behind future teammate Chris Webber at third nationally. During his senior season at Chicago Vocational Career Academy, the 6-foot-9 center averaged 26.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Howard’s Vocational team lost in the Public League semifinals after posting 25 wins on the season. As a freshman Wolverine, Howard played in teammate Chris Webber’s shadow, averaging just 11 points and six rebounds per game.

Seven-footer Mark Williams is 28th nationally and sixth at his position. The Norfolk, Va., native attended IMG Academy in Florida, where he was a double-double machine as a senior. During his junior season for Norfolk Academy, he averaged 19.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. He scored 14.8 points and grabbed 8.9 rebounds per game on the summer Nike EYBL prep circuit. And during the Nike Peach Jam in the summer of 2019, the future McDonald’s All-American averaged 23.5 points and 12.0 rebounds.

Williams is a polished rebounder plus an excellent defender and shot-blocker. He has upside as an athlete who moves his feet like a player far smaller than his seven feet. The tallest of the six Duke basketball recruits will give Coach K some much needed physical strength and presence inside.

EDGE: Duke’s Mark Williams

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