First-round potential for Sebastian Williams-Adams? One scout sees the path.

Can Sebastian Williams-Adams develop into Auburn’s next first-round NBA Draft pick?

At least one NBA scout believes the answer is yes.

Ersin Demir — an NBA Draft, Division I and JUCO scout — recently broke down Williams-Adams’ game and long-term potential. His conclusion: Williams-Adams has the tools and trajectory to become a “10+ year pro.”

You can read Demir’s full evaluation HERE, but here’s a quick summary of his key points.

Demir says Williams-Adams has emerged as one of Auburn’s most intriguing long-term prospects, thriving as a versatile, high-motor defender with a mature feel for the game. He possesses traits that have quietly placed him on NBA radars early in his freshman season. His physical profile stands out immediately. Williams-Adams is a sturdy 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds with an estimated 7’2”–7’3” wingspan. Demir notes fluid movement skills and the strength to defend multiple positions.

Defensively, Demir says Williams-Adams already shows advanced instincts. He can hold his own in the post, rotate reliably, blow up cuts, and defend closeouts with toughness. Demir says Williams-Adams’ reads off the ball, anticipation and competitiveness allow him to impact plays without gambling, and his versatility projects well for switching-heavy NBA schemes.

Offensively, he remains raw but promising. His catch-and-shoot mechanics are inconsistent, and he’s not yet a comfortable three-point threat, though his high release and ability to relocate suggest room for growth. Demir says Williams-Adams is most effective creating from the post, attacking mismatches and using strength and touch around the rim, but he must improve decision-making and avoid settling for tough jumpers. As a slasher, he draws fouls well and can use angles effectively, though his finishing footwork and free-throw percentage need major improvement. Demir notes his best offensive trait is his passing. Williams-Adams possesses a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, he reads the floor quickly, moves the ball decisively and shows the upside to be a functional short-roll and post facilitator.

Given his elite defensive tools, role versatility and processing speed, Williams-Adams is projected as a potential 2027 first-round pick, Demir says. His long-term NBA value lies in becoming a switchable, intelligent, low-usage power forward who elevates team defense and moves the ball. If his shooting and offensive polish improve, he has a clear pathway to a decade-long NBA career.

Williams-Adams has played in all 11 of Auburn’s games, starting four. He’s averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, with an affective FG percentage of 63.8. Per 40 minutes, Williams-Adams is averaging 12 points, five rebounds and four assists per game.

‘SWA’ COMPARED TO ISAAC OKORO

Through the first stretch of his college career, he’s shown a combination of poise, self-awareness and all-around ability that has earned early comparisons to one of the program’s best in current Chicago Bulls’ standout Isaac Okoro.

Okoro was Freshman All-SEC and Second Team All-SEC at Auburn and picked No. 5 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Tigers’ head coach Steven Pearl has seen enough to know that Williams-Adams’ maturity and basketball IQ are well beyond his years. Pearl said the similarities to Okoro are real in how Williams-Adams processes the game. 

“It’s a lot like Isaac when he was a freshman,” Pearl said earlier this season. “With Isaac, it wasn’t like we had a freshman — it felt like we had another senior. And Sebastian’s got a lot of that to him as well, just mature beyond his years.”

Williams-Adams rarely forces plays or hunts for shots. Instead, he plays within the flow of Auburn’s offense and picks his spots wisely. 

“He doesn’t try and do too much,” Pearl said. “He understands what his strengths are and really goes at them. The good thing is, he’s capable of doing a lot of things, so it allows you to put him in different spots to make plays.”

For Williams-Adams, that mindset has made the transition from practice to game action much smoother.

“I think I’ve settled pretty well,” he said. “Obviously there’s a difference between exhibition games and being in The Jungle, but the transition has been pretty smooth from practice to these real-life games.”

It’s that level-headedness, discipline and team-first attitude that already make Williams-Adams look like the next in Auburn’s line of elite, unselfish wings, and “SWA” might be one whose ceiling might be just as high as Okoro’s.