Busting Brackets
Fansided

WCC Basketball: Top 5 returning players of the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope

Jan 14, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) fights for position against St. Mary's Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) and center Jock Landale (34) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 79-56. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) fights for position against St. Mary's Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) and center Jock Landale (34) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 79-56. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) high fives guard Silas Melson (0) after a dunk against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the first half at HP Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) high fives guard Silas Melson (0) after a dunk against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the first half at HP Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Johnathan Williams (Gonzaga)

While teammate Silas Melson may be the best on-ball defender in the WCC, Johnathan Williams is by far the best overall defender. Williams may also be the most important returnee in the WCC, going back to a Gonzaga team that lost four of its key players from last season.

Last season, Williams was the anchor for a Gonzaga defense that many considered to be the best in the NCAA. Not only was he in the top 10 in both blocked shots and rebounds in the WCC, Williams was also often tasked with defending against opponents’ best perimeter shooters, regardless of their position.

Williams brings more than just his defensive prowess to the Zags, recording the fourth-best field goal percentage in the WCC. While his opportunities were limited on last year’s loaded roster, Williams will now have the opportunity to show why he led Missouri in scoring before he transferred.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Williams’ role on the Zags is his emotional leadership. Whenever Gonzaga struggled last season, Williams was one of the players that always seemed to make a huge dunk or block an important shot, giving the Bulldogs life. Without Williams, the Zags would have been missing this spark, since Perkins and Melson both seem to be quieter in their leadership.

Johnathan Williams will be the biggest competition for 2017-2018 WCC Player of the Year favorite Jock Landale.