Western Kentucky Basketball: Hilltoppers land Carson Williams
Former Northern Kentucky star Carson Williams has transferred to Western Kentucky. It may be an under the radar move, but it will have a huge impact on both team.
Last month, Northern Kentucky guard Carson Williams announced that he was transferring, and earlier this week, it was made official that he will now be a member of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Williams stood out at Northern Kentucky, helping lead them to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2016-17, his freshman season. Thanks to his efforts, he was named to the Horizon League’s All-Freshman team following that campaign.
Williams competed for the Norse once again this past season and was a key piece in their 22 win season and regular season Horizon League title. Since they were upset in the Horizon League conference tournament, which was eventually won by Wright State, the Norse did not return to the tournament.
But Williams was still able to put forward another productive season for the Norse. His sophomore year saw him average 12 points and 5.6 rebounds. In conference play, Northern Kentucky was especially good, posting a 15-3 record, large in part due to the play of Williams.
Now moving to Western Kentucky, the state of Kentucky’s former Mr. Basketball high school standout will join a group of talented young players halfway through his college basketball journey. Due to NCAA transfer rules, Williams is required to sit out the entire 2018-19 season. When he returns in 2019-20, he will have two seasons left of eligibility.
Williams joins DeSean Murray, another transfer that the Hilltoppers landed from Auburn. Each will improve an already dangerous Western Kentucky team that seeks to become a dominant force in Conference USA.
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Williams will get about equal playing time at Western Kentucky, and will probably produce about the same. But even though the move doesn’t shake up a whole lot on a national scale, it means a lot for Northern Kentucky, who has lost some of their top talents, and for Western Kentucky, who begins a new chapter a season from now with the addition of a gifted scorer and defender.