29-05-2025
What Montana guard Money Williams learned after testing the NBA draft process
What Montana guard Money Williams learned after testing the NBA draft process Williams worked out with the Rockets and Trail Blazers before the early entry withdrawal deadline on Wednesday.
Money Williams wanted to test the 2025 NBA draft to gain valuable feedback to further develop his game, and the Montana sophomore received that and more over the past month.
Williams was an All-Big Sky second-team selection, averaging 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals on 34.1% shooting from 3-point range. He paced the Grizzlies in scoring, leading them to their first conference title and appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.
The 6-foot-4 guard finished in double figures 17 times this past season, including two 30-point performances. He reached that mark on Nov. 13 in a loss against No. 11 Tennessee, becoming the first Big Sky player to score at least 30 points against an SEC opponent since 1999.
"I'm just testing the waters to see where I'm at," Williams said Tuesday after working out with the Portland Trail Blazers. "I feel good where I'm at. Obviously, I need some more work, but next year, I'm pretty sure I'll be more confident to enter my name into the draft."
Williams began his sophomore campaign by starting the first 20 games of the season for head coach Travis DeCuire. After a 12-8 start to the season, DeCuire elected to move Williams to the bench to shake things up and provide a jolt in the second unit.
The team responded by going 13-2 to finish the season, including a loss to Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Williams was named the Big Sky Sixth Man of the Year for his play in that role, which served as a reminder of sorts for him.
"If you want to be on the court, you have to be consistent," Williams said. "All of the guys that play in the NBA are consistent at what they do. This is their job; this is their profession."
Williams declared for the draft following the season while maintaining his remaining eligibility. In addition to working out with the Trail Blazers, Williams also completed a visit with the Houston Rockets before withdrawing from the draft ahead of the deadline on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old had the opportunity to compete against his peers in those two workouts, while receiving intel from coaches and executives about his strengths and weaknesses. He understands what it takes to advance to the next level and will keep that with him throughout his junior year.
"There are a lot of guys that want to be here," Williams said. "I'm pretty sure there are only 500 guys that get drafted to the NBA out of the whole world, so to be one of those guys, you have to separate yourself. Having that great experience, it opened my mind even more."
