Gonzaga Basketball: Johnathan Williams will return for senior season

Johnathan Williams has made his draft decision, returning to Gonzaga for one more year.

The NBA Draft decision deadline has passed, and Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams has made his decision. The forward, who helped lead the Zags to the National Championship game, has decided to return for his senior season.

Johnathan Williams played two years for the Missouri Tigers before transferring to Gonzaga. In his last season with the Tigers, Williams led the team with 11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks.

After transferring to Gonzaga, a school known for developing forwards, Williams became one piece in an eight-headed monster. While his numbers dropped due to sharing touches with centers Przemek Karnowski and Zach Collins, Williams gained a lot of attention.

Last season, Williams established himself as the anchor for Gonzaga’s defense, which ranked first in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency. His ability to guard from all points on the court increased the perceived value he would bring to the NBA.

In addition to his skill on both ends of the court, Williams was also an emotional jump-starter for the Zags. The Bulldogs had many runs begin with a dunk or block by Williams, who always knew how to get the Kennel to explode.

While NBA teams show interest in Williams, he was not projected as a draft pick, making his decision to withdraw understandable.

This decision can benefit both Williams and Gonzaga next season. Williams is the highest returning scorer and rebounder for the Zags and should get more opportunities to score without Karnowski, Nigel Williams-Goss, Jordan Mathews on the roster.

Next: Thomas Welsh returns to UCLA

For Gonzaga, Williams represents a player who will be a leader for a team hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament for the 20^th straight season. He will join Josh Perkins and Silas Melson as veteran players on a young team.