Derrick Williams declared for the 2011 NBA draft in his Junior year. Many fans wanted him to stay another year, but the NBA was screaming his name.
Williams was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the number two pick overall in the 1st round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Williams had just come off of an exciting and successful season in the NCAA with the Arizona Wildcats. The Cats had come within a few points of making their way to the final four under head coach Sean Miller, losing to Connecticut in the Elite Eight 65-63.