Less than two weekends after committing to play at Wake Forest, Matt Williams announced that he will not play as a graduate transfer for the Demon Deacons’ basketball program next season.
Williams, a 6-5 guard, will stay at Central Florida and play for new coach Johnny Dawkins, who was hired in March. Williams was one of two graduate transfers to commit to coach Danny Manning, joining Austin Arians, a 6-6 forward from Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“Coach Dawkins and staff have an amazing plan for the entire program that I want to be a part of,” Williams told UCFSports.com.
While this kind of decision is rare, Williams likely had a chance to spend more time with Dawkins, who probably emphasized the fact that the move to Wake Forest would not guarantee wins or playing time, two things vital to a graduate transfer.
Williams would have been competing for playing time with traditional transfer Keyshawn Woods, Arians, junior Greg McClinton and incoming freshman Richard Washington.
But for Manning and the Deacons, the loss hits hard. Williams might have instantly become the best defender on the team. In addition, he’s a solid outside shooter, and he could have played multiple positions. Manning also was clearly looking to add players with experience and a sense of urgency to his young team.
Manning also felt that Williams possessed something the program needed in grit and fire.
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