The greatest strength of Duke basketball freshman center Mark Williams…
RIM PROTECTION
Given his 7-foot frame and long arms, Mark Williams should be a reliable rim protector for the Blue Devils this season. The Virginia native averaged over 2.0 blocks per game while playing on the EYBL circuit.
While it is easy to be a dominant rim protector at the high school level when you are 7-feet tall, Williams has the physical tools to bring that with him into college. He is a mobile big who, for the most part, plays straight up. If the freshman can be disciplined and stay out of foul trouble, he should easily be one of the ACC leaders in blocked shots.
Duke struggled with protecting the rim at times a season ago. Vernon Carey Jr. was a capable shot blocker, but that was not his No. 1 strength. When Williams is in the game, he will not be in there to score but to wipe away shots around the rim and clean up on the boards.
Of course, there are a few more Blue Devils who look to have similar roles…