While Michael Carter-Williams makes the biggest transition of his life, so does his family.

When Carter-Williams was in San Jose, Calif., leading Syracuse past California and into the Sweet 16 their Hamilton, Mass., house was in flames.

He had scored 12 points with his mother, Mandy Zegarowski in the crowd. But afterward, they were left without a home.

Now, Carter-Williams’ ascension to an NBA prospect is about more than just basketball.

“I think it has pushed him to work harder,” Zegarowski said. “The fire has brought our family closer together. With Michael in such a big transition in his life, it has been hectic with the rest of us also in transition as far as our living situation.

“At the same time, he gives us all something positive to focus on.”

Still, Carter-Williams hears criticism from all corners of the basketball world. His 6-foot-6 frame is big for a point guard, and excites but many think he doesn’t have the necessary skill to excel at the pro level. Leaning on his family’s strength and support, he’ll soon learn if his rare attributes are worthy of a lottery pick Thursday.

Carter-Williams said that he wants to buy his mother the home she wants, Zegarowksi said. While nothing could repair the personal damages the family suffered in March, getting drafted will help him do that. It is nearly certain that he’ll be selected, but where he will go is still very much up in the air.

Jonathan Givony of Draftexpress.com sees many limitations in Carter-Williams’ game. Givony doesn’t see him as a proven defender or effective scorer, and thinks his lack of strength hinders his supposed size advantage.

“At Syracuse he played in the 2-3 zone so we haven’t even seen him play man-to-man defense which he will have to at the pro level,” Givony said. “And offensively, any team that needs a guard to score can’t take him, and that’s most teams.”

But Carter-Williams’ length and athleticism draw a range of professional comparisons, and opportunities.

Mike Hart, his high school coach at St. Andrew’s in Barrington, R.I., said he immediately reminded him of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Shaun Livingston. Hart coached Livingston at Adidas’ BABC camp and, to this day, thinks the two are a lot alike.

“It’s what I thought of him the second he walked into the gym as a sophomore,” Hart said.

Aran Smith of NBADraft.net sees something different. Smith thinks his offensive game is far from complete, but his athleticism is reminiscent of former Memphis star guard-forward Chris Douglas-Roberts.

“He’s pretty unique with his strengths being passing and great athleticism,” Smith said.

Livingston hasn’t lived up to his potential as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft; his career has been hampered by recurring knee injuries. Douglas-Roberts averaged just 2.8 points in 10.5 minutes per game this year before being waived by the Mavericks on Jan. 6.

Carter-Williams would do well to exceed his comparisons.

“Moving forward, Michael will have to keep getting stronger and work on his jump shot,” Hart said.

Carter-Williams was invited to the green room Thursday night, a place usually reserved for a lottery pick. Additionally, each scout has told him that he will be selected in the top 14, Zegarowksi said.

Smith said he could see Detroit selecting Carter-Williams with the eighth overall pick. If that doesn’t happen, he thinks there won’t be a team in need of a point guard until the back end of the lottery, or right outside of it.

“I know there are a lot of scouts that really like him for his athleticism and his ability to pass inside and everything,” Smith said. “But in the NBA, if you can’t hit a mid-range shot, people can back off of you.

“He really needs to put a lot of work in to keep defenders honest and make them pay when they sag off him.”

Carter-Williams has been away from home for the last three weeks showcasing his talents for scouts, coaches, and general managers. In that time he has worked out for the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Pistons, and Mavericks.

Once drafted, the criticism will subside and Carter-Williams will return home — to a new home, for his mother.

“Michael understands that criticism and speculation comes with the job. It has always motivated him to work hard,” Zegarowksi said. “He has grown up fast with everything going on.”

Published on June 27, 2013 at 9:59 am

Contact Jesse: jcdoug01@syr.edu | @dougherty_jesse