Mikey Williams had the best game of his college career so far. Unfortunately, it didn’t result in a win—Iowa State was locked in last night. But for Williams, who has been through a lot, I believe it’s only up from here. Let’s get into the details.

In the first half, Williams made a few nice plays, playing unselfishly and staying engaged defensively. He showed off his quickness and scoring ability, particularly on a smooth baseline move that led to a floater. He also displayed his shooting touch, knocking down a corner three. My favorite play, though, was him hustling back in transition to draw a charge—what can I say, I’m a defense guy.

In the second half, Williams showcased the athleticism we all know he has. He soared for a rebound early on and later cut baseline for a reverse jam. He also continued to knock down catch-and-shoot threes, which forced defenders to respect his outside shot—making it even easier for him to blow by them.

Overall, this was a solid building block for the rest of his collegiate career. At times, his body language can make him appear disengaged, but he competes on the defensive end. Williams has all the tools to be a really good basketball player. I’d like to see him locked in defensively for the entire game—if he can do that, it’ll open up even more freedom for him offensively. Honestly, I’m more excited to watch him next year than this year.

Final stat line: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 personal fouls in 28 mins*

Shooting: 6-12 from the field, 2-4 from three.