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Johnathan Williams III, a 6'9" forward who transferred from Missouri, has committed to Gonzaga. Williams III had also considered Georgetown and SMU.
Missouri transfer Johnathan Williams III is transferring to Gonzaga, his mother tells @929espn. Best available transfer out there.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) May 31, 2015
Williams, a Memphis native, averaged 11.9 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. Williams was recruited by Georgetown coming out of high school, and he visited Georgetown back in 2012 as well as earlier this month. Williams III infamously chose Missouri over Georgetown and a host of other schools in one of the more wacky commitment ceremonies in recent memory, which included a rehearsal dinner-esque slideshow set to R. Kelly songs and a speech from his Aunt Lynn who is now a great friend of the blog.
@tastee32 Are you the famous Aunt Lynn from JW3's commitment ceremony?
— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) May 15, 2015
@CasualHoya that would be a yes
— Lynn (@tastee32) May 15, 2015
ESPN Scouting report:
Scouting summary: 6'8", 208-lb. PF from Memphis, Tenn. #34 in ESPN's top 100, #47 in Rivals, #30 in Scout. ESPN tells us, "Williams is a rare combination of length and skill that reminds many of a young Lamar Odom. At 6'7 and left-handed, Williams possesses a tremendous handle and feel for the game. Like Odom, Williams could be considered a point forward that can initiate offense or take the ball off the glass and lead the break. His energy and constant activity on both ends of the floor is a thing of beauty. He is more than capable of breaking down his defender in a one-on-one situation to create a shot for himself. Once he has his defender on his heals he has a nice step-back jump shot from behind the arc. Williams is a competitor who handles adversity well and keeps his cool in games."
Williams III has to sit out next season and would have two years of eligibility commencing in the 2016-17 season. For those wondering why Georgetown would be in the market after this season for a power forward whose game resembles Isaac Copeland's, feel free to read between the lines.
JW3 is the 2nd transfer that considered the Hoyas to ultimately choose Gonzaga, as Washington transfer guard Nigel Williams-Goss did the same last month.
Oh, well. Who's next?