Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Patrick Williams is a versatile forward whose blend of size, strength, and defensive ability gives him the tools to impact multiple areas of the game. While still developing offensively, he has shown the potential to become a valuable two-way player capable of contributing in a variety of roles.

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Patrick Lee Williams
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born August 26, 2001
  • Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Weight: 215 pounds (98 kilograms)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 44
  • Position: Forward
  • High School: West Charlotte High School, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • College: Florida State University (2019–2020)
  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round, 4th overall pick, in 2020
  • Teams Played For:
    • Chicago Bulls (2020–present)
  • Championship Rings: None to date
  • Children: Information not publicly available
  • Siblings: One older brother, Kobie

Player Archetype / Play Style

Patrick Williams’ player archetype is that of a two-way combo forward, the kind of modern wing-forward who fits best as a versatile complementary piece rather than a ball-dominant offensive engine. He is most useful defensively as a switchable stopper who can absorb assignments across both forward spots, use his length on the ball, and rotate as a disruptive help defender, which has long been part of his appeal dating back to the draft process. Offensively, his role is more connective than initiatory, with value coming from floor spacing, straight-line drives, secondary scoring, and keeping the ball moving instead of carrying a possession-heavy creation load. Physically, Williams brings an NBA-ready frame at roughly 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds with a near 7-foot wingspan, and that blend of size, strength, and reach underpins a play style built on defensive versatility, spot-up scoring, simple reads, and flashes of skill that make him useful when he is playing decisively. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Patrick Williams is one of those players whose physical tools catch your eye immediately, but the more revealing part of his game is how selectively he uses them. He rarely forces offense, preferring to keep the ball moving until a closeout gives him a straight-line lane or enough room to rise into a balanced jumper, and that measured approach makes him an easy fit next to ball-dominant creators even if it sometimes leaves you wanting more aggression. The interesting thing is that he has the handle and strength to attack mismatches from the elbows or punish smaller defenders after a switch, yet he often chooses the simple read over testing the defense. Defensively, that’s where his game carries the most intrigue. He moves comfortably across multiple frontcourt assignments, absorbs contact without giving up his chest, and does a good job tagging rollers before recovering to shooters rather than getting stuck in no-man’s land. He isn’t a defender who hunts steals or blocks for the sake of them; his best possessions come from quietly taking away the first option and forcing offenses deeper into the shot clock. The trade-off is that quicker guards can create separation if he’s isolated too far from the paint, and there are stretches where his overall involvement fades because he naturally slips into a complementary role instead of imposing himself on possessions. To me, his ideal situation is alongside high-level initiators who generate rotations, allowing him to attack an already-shifting defense, screen, relocate and defend the toughest forward matchup without carrying the burden of creating offense from scratch. There’s a little Harrison Barnes in the way he plays within structure and a touch of Marvin Williams in how his versatility often shows up through dependable positioning rather than eye-catching production.

Sources:

NBA.com — Sam Smith: What should fans expect from Patrick Williams entering Year 5?
NBA.com — 2020 NBA Draft Profile: Patrick Williams
The Ringer — The Ringer’s 2020 NBA Draft Guide