Williams earns NBA Combine invitation, draws praise from Houston Rockets’ scout

By Garrett Podell

Published May 9, 2018

TCU guard Kenrich Williams attempts a slam dunk against Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Cristian ArguetaSoto.

Kenrich Willaims, the do-it-all guard, was one of 69 players to receive an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. The Combine will be held May 16-20.

Williams completed his Horned Frog career totaling 1,125 points, which ranks 21st all-time in school history, and 877 rebounds, which ranks fourth.

The 6-foot-7-inch wing averaged 13.2 points per game and was second in the Big 12 averaging 9.3 rebounds per game this season. Those numbers earned him All-Big 12 Second Team, United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District VII and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 8 Second Team accolades.

TCU guard Kenrich Williams throws down an alley-oop to finsh off a fastbreak against Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Cristian ArguetaSoto.

If drafted, he would become the first player from TCU drafted into the NBA since Lee Nailon in 1999.

However, there are only 60 draft spots, two 30-pick rounds.

Chuck Hayes, a 12-year NBA veteran and current scout for the Houston Rockets, believes Williams possesses an excellent chance to hear his name called in June after watching him play in Fort Worth against Iowa State and in Kansas City against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament.

Hayes also said the Rockets have kept an eye on Williams since the team considers him to be a “local” prospect.

The NBA draft will be held June 21 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.