First came the announcement on ESPN that Jordan Williams had been selected by the Nets with the 36th pick in the draft, which led to an emotional moment caught on camera. Then, came the phone call from Avery Johnson, congratulating him and telling him what the Nets and their head coach expect of him.
"Coach Johnson said he is excited to have me part of the program and part of the future of the New Jersey Nets," said Williams, still only 20 years old. "I knew where I was (probably) going and I was not really surprised."
While a lot of attention has been focused on the two trades that brought MarShon Brooks and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets, Williams, a 6'9", 245 pound power forward, presents some intriguing possibilities. The only ACC player to average 20 and 10 this season in conference play, Williams is a proven scorer as well as rebounder. In his last season as a Connecticut high schooler, Williams had one of the greatest seasons in H.S. basketball history, averaging 37 and 20.
- Net gain: Williams eager to join New Jersey - Mark Jaffee - Waterbury Republican-American