Rodney Williams ranks in as top 30 NBA prospect by analyst

Dec 31, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Rodney Williams (33) looks on during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Michigan State 76-63. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Gophers forward Rodney Williams was named on Doug Gottlieb’s top 30 NBA prospects, a list of players that appeared on CBS Sports.

Gottleib, an analyst who was a former college basketball star at Notre Dame and Oklahoma State, ranks Williams at No. 30 on his list that includes Nerlens Noel of Kentucky and Cody Zeller of Indiana.

Williams is averaging 11.9 points a game along with 5.5 rebounds. But it’s his freak athleticism that Gottleib’s says will play favorably for him when the draft rolls around at the end of June.

The senior from Minneapolis has been on a slump since conference play started but was a big contributor during the early part of this season, leading the Gophers to an early 14-1 record.

Williams did not play on Sunday against Illinois because of an injured shoulder. The injury is minor and he should be back in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Other Big Ten players to appear on the list include Zeller and Victor Oladipo of Indiana in addition to Trey Burke of Michigan and Brandon Paul of the Fighting Illini.

St. Cloud native Nate Wolters of South Dakota State cracked the list at No. 21. The senior point guard has been receiving much-deserved attention, proving his worth by averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Jackrabbits.

Former Gopher Colton Iverson also ranks on the list at No. 26. the South Dakota native transferred to Colorado State two years ago and redshirted last year. He is averaging 13.8 points and 9.7 rebounds in his senior year.