Junior guard Keith Williams has submitted his name for the 2020 NBA Draft. Williams would forgo his senior season if he stays in the draft. The junior has improved each of his three seasons in Cincinnati and will test well on the athletic side of the process. He was the teams second leading scorer with 12.6 points per game and third on the team in rebounds with 4.6 rebounds per game. Also add in 1.2 steals and 0.9 steals.
Hopefully Williams gets the news he wants to hear from the scouts if not he can come back for his senior season just like his fellow teammate Jarron Cumberland did last season.
Good luck to you Keith, TFON is rooting for you!
Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati junior guard Keith Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin Memorial) will submit his name for consideration in the 2020 NBA Draft he announced via social media Friday.
“Bearcat Nation, thank you for the past three years,” Williams said. “The experiences I was able to accumulate in the classroom, community and on the basketball court has propelled me to become the person I am now. The classroom has helped me build love and a mental capacity for academics. I’ve gotten opportunities to touch the lives of the youth with community service, the community has also showered me with love and support after seeing the passion and hard work I’ve displayed on the court.
“After progressive conversations with my family, coaches and mentors, I’ve decided that I will enter the 2020 NBA Draft with the intent of hiring an agent; however, I will be keeping my options open.”
A rule change by the NCAA a year ago allows Williams to sign with an NCAA-certified agent and gain feedback while maintaining the opportunity to return to Cincinnati for his senior campaign.
Williams has until Sunday, April 26 to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to school. The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. However, the league may adjust both dates due to the current coronavirus pandemic.
“I have spoken to Keith and his family since the basketball season ended several weeks ago,” UC head coach John Brannen said. “I am in full support of Keith’s desire to enter the NBA Draft process. This is a process that I encourage our underclassmen to go through and I look forward to assisting Keith during it.”
Williams enjoyed his best season as a Bearcat during the 2019-20 campaign. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 43.5 percent (136 of 313) from the field, 34.2 percent (27 of 79) from 3-point range and 79.2 percent (80 of 101) from the free throw line.
During American Athletic Conference play, Williams ranked among league leaders in free throw percentage (fourth at .833), field goal percentage (11th at .437), blocks (tied for 13th at 0.8), steals (15th at 1.3), points (tied for 15th at 12.7) and minutes played (22nd at 29.2).
Williams earned AAC Weekly Honor Roll accolades on March 9 after scoring a career-high 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting with four steals in UC’s 79-67 comeback win at USF on March 3. Earlier in the season he posted a game-best 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four 3-pointers in an 82-73 home win over Vermont on Dec. 3.
