Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams is embracing his growth despite the team’s challenging season. In an exclusive interview with Spencer Davies of RG, Williams discussed his progress, areas for improvement, and how injuries have impacted the Hornets’ chemistry.
“It’s been tough, for sure,” Williams admitted. “There are flashes of good things, but we’re not getting over the hump of getting a win.” With the Hornets sitting at 8-28, the 22-year-old believes the team is better than their record suggests but acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining rhythm with key players like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller missing a combined 34 games.
Injuries have plagued Williams’ own career as well. A sprained left ankle, a dislocated thumb, and back issues sidelined him during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. Most recently, a strained tendon in his left foot delayed his 2024-25 debut until December 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Returning to action, Williams has averaged 13.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and nearly one block per game across 14 appearances. Despite his early-season setbacks, Williams delivered a standout performance in Phoenix, tallying 22 points and 13 rebounds in just the first half. His ability to secure second-chance opportunities and finish plays highlighted his growing impact.
When asked about his development, Williams pointed to playmaking as a critical focus. “Finding open teammates, whether it’s handoffs, backdoor cuts, whatever,” he explained. “Offensively, them finding me and me rewarding them—it just comes with playing and practicing together.”
The 7-foot center credits his resilience to the support of his teammates, staff, and family. “Just people in my circle speaking positively to me kept me pushing,” Williams said. “Maintaining that belief that you’re going to get over it is the biggest thing.”
As the Hornets aim to improve, Williams remains optimistic. “We’re going to continue to fight, continue to believe, and whoever’s on the floor is going to have a great impact for us,” he said.
