Tennessee Basketball: Grant Williams departure to NBA starts Vols rebuild

Grant Williams will officially be going off to the NBA after three years with Tennessee Basketball. For the Vols, it’s time to start over in the SEC.

When it comes to creating a Mount Rushmore for SEC Basketball in the last decade, a great argument can be made that Grant Williams of Tennessee Basketball should be on it. In three seasons (all as a starter), the forward averaged 15.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 2.1 apg on 52% shooting from the field.

His consistent gaudy numbers, combined with turning the Vols program around paved the way to winning the last two SEC Player of the Year Awards, including being named an All-American this past season. He had numerous individual performances spotlighted, led by his 43 points on a record 23/23 from the free throw line to beat Vanderbilt in overtime. His work effort, intelligence and shining personality made him a beloved figure in the NCAA Basketball world and even respected by rival SEC program – even Kentucky!

Although he doesn’t have the prototypical measurements or skillset that would make him a surefire NBA prospect, Williams is highly regarded by scouts and analysts as someone who’ll make an impact regardless. And with him having a 1st round grade, the junior has decided that it was time for a new chapter in his life.

With the announcement being official, that means that Tennessee will be losing their top two scorers, including departing senior Admiral Schofield. There’s a possibility that it’ll be three, with leading passer Jordan Bone currently going through the process. It’s 50/50 right now but Williams’ decision could have an impact on what he does as well.

As far as the future goes for the Vols, it’s not completely hopeless. They’ll bring back two senior guards in Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner and he five-star combo guard prospect Josiah-Jordan James joining the fold. It’s the frontcourt that’ll be the issue, with Williams, Schofield and starting center Kyle Alexander all gone.

Who replaces them is not as clear. 6’9 forward John Fulkerson is the lone returning frontcourt player who played last year, at just 12 mpg. They will have four-star power forward Olivier Robinson-Nkamhoua coming in, as well, as center DJ Burns, who redshirted last year. This could be a good nucleus in the future but giving this group plenty of minutes could be a problem.

Head coach Rick Barnes has quietly built Tennessee Basketball into a top-tier SEC team but with the absence of Williams, it’ll be a tough job to keep them up there. Look for the Vols to find an impact frontcourt option for next season to build depth to try and soften the blow as much as possible. But for now, good luck to the two-time SEC POY in his quest to become an NBA star.