Minnesota Timberwolves introduce their 2nd overall pick Derrick Williams: NBA Draft Update
Derrick Williams turned into a star over night after he was picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves as 2nd overall in the June 23, draft. A day after getting drafted, the young forward was introduced infront of the media
in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The 6 ft 8in power forward looked absolutely calm and confident at the press meeting, where he shared his thoughts about how he was able to convert his dream into a reality.
Williams told that he started playing basketball quite late, as initially he was into baseball but later he realized that his physique is not suitable for the game. At the high school level, Derrick represented La Mirada, but didn’t
get the recognition which he was hoping for. He had checked 100 recruiting websites to see his ratings, but found his name on just one where he was ranked 72. Nevertheless, Williams felt appreciated for getting recognized.
As a freshman, Williams scored at an average 15.7 points per game and because of his astonishing performances; he was selected as a freshman All-American and later named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.
Williams’ performance at the junior level was just the beginning, as in his sophomore season Derrick tallied 19.5 points per game and clutched 8.3 rebounds in each game. William gained the national fame when he guided the Arizona
Wildcats basketball team to the 2011 PAC-10 championship. In true shooting percentage (.690) and effective field goal percentage (.650) Williams led all the NCAA shooters and was named the PAC-10 Player of the Year.
Williams said, "A lot of people, when they see themselves in the newspaper or the media at such a young age, they kind of stop working as hard because they think they've already made it. I just took it as motivation, not seeing
myself in the newspaper and wanting to be on that level. It's motivation for me. Just hard work and determination, it's really helped."
Assistant coach Charlie Torres, who coached Williams at the high school, also remembers how much time and effort Derrick had put in and it was because of all that hard work he was able to become the No. 2 overall in the draft
after remaining absent from most national top 100 listings.
On draft night Torres was also present in attendance to see his apprentice and mate getting picked up by the Wolves, said, "Derrick's the most coachable, most responsible kid I've ever seen in my entire life,” and proudly said
that “I knew I created a monster.”
Williams believes that he took this opportunity as a challenge and will prove to all his bashers that he didn’t rise up because it was a weak draft. Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn also made it quite
clear that they are not looking to trade away Williams, as Minnesota is now his new family.
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