NCAA Basketball: Top mid-major players in 2022 offseason transfer portal
By Shea Irish
K.J. Williams – Murray State
6’10” Junior Forward
2021-22 Season: 18.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 53.8 FG%, 37 3-PT
Career Accolades: 3x 1st Team All-OVC, 2022 OVC Player of the Year, 2022 Lou Henson Mid-Major POY Finalist
The 6’10” K.J. Williams is another star big man from the Ohio Valley Conference. After leading Murray State to a 31-3 season and an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 appearance, the 2022 OVC POY has decided to test the NBA draft waters but will still maintain his college eligibility and enter his name in the transfer portal.
Not nearly the rim protector as the aforementioned Johni Broome, Williams does have a more advanced offensive game and a ton of experience at the college level. With over 1,600 career points and the ability to bully defenders on the block or extend his range out to the 3-point line, Williams is a tough matchup for any player in the country. K.J. put up 29+ points in six different games during the season, including a 39-point performance against Tennessee State.
Williams will bring a winning persona wherever he lands, being a crucial part of two NCAA Tournament teams in his time at Murray State, including the 2018-19 season in which Ja Morant ascended to stardom. With the capability of putting up a double-double on any night, Williams will bring a strong inside presence to any power conference school.
With just one season of eligibility left, look for Williams to transfer to a program that will be an immediate NCAA Tournament contender. It is worthy of noting that his former head coach Matt McMahon left to take the job at LSU, and multiple players have already followed him over from Murray State. If he decides to come back to school, it is possible that K.J. may make the same decision and reunite with his teammates in Baton Rouge.