NCAA Basketball: Analyzing Evansville transfer Deandre Williams final 4 teams

Kentucky Wildcats

In the past week, I’ve bee writing about Kentucky’s pursuit of a capable center for next season. Whether it’s Frank Anselem, Moussa Cisse, or potentially Olivier Sarr, the Wildcats have been in full gear. But there are enough elite recruiters on John Calipari’s staff to give some attention to Williams, who they’re all too familiar with. Williams only scored nine points in Evansville’s win over Kentucky but the team is hoping more for the 37-point outing against Miami (OH), with the forward going 17/18 from the field.

While the center position is of need for the Wildcats but not at the forward spots. Among the incoming prospects of the No. 1 recruiting class, Kentucky brings, in power forwards Isaiah Jackson and Cam Ware, each ranked in the top-35. Then there is top-50 small forward Cam’Ron Fletcher, Rhode Island transfer Jacob Toppin and returning wing Keion Brooks Jr. That doesn’t even include five-star guard Terrence Clarke, a 6’7 mega athlete who could spend some time at the wing as well. As anyone who joins the Wildcats, the minutes and a spot in the rotation isn’t guaranteed. Williams only has 18 more games of experience at the D-1 level than the others and that was done primarily against lower-level competition.

The obvious selling point for Williams playing for the Wildcats is being on a fast track towards the NBA. Even at age 24, if the transfer forward can average around 15 ppg with his athleticism and ability, he can be a first-round draft pick after a big season. On the other hand, getting buried on the bench would set him back a ton. You can only improve your stock if you’re on the court and these incoming freshmen have plans of their own to being part of next year’s rotation.