FIBA Basketball
USA - UConn standout Williams declares for draft
STORRS (NCAA) - Marcus Williams is to become the third University of Connecticut underclassman to declare his intention to enter the 2006 NBA Draft. The 6ft 3in point guard, one of the best playmakers in college basketball
STORRS (NCAA) - Marcus Williams is to become the third University of Connecticut underclassman to declare his intention to enter the 2006 NBA Draft.
The 6ft 3in point guard, one of the best playmakers in college basketball, will forego his senior season to join fellow Huskies Rudy Gay, a sophomore, and fellow junior Josh Boone in June's draft.
"Over the past few weeks, I've been talking a lot with my family and with Coach (Jim) Calhoun about the options for my future, and at this time, I would like to announce my decision to make myself available for the 2006 NBA draft," Williams said at a press conference.
"It's been a difficult and complicated situation, but I think it's the best for me and my family."
Williams will leave school as the Big East Conference's all-time leader in assists per game despite a roller-coaster ride in his three years at UConn.
The 20-year-old missed the first 11 games of the 2005-06 campaign due to a suspension stemming from his involvement in the theft of laptop computers from campus dorms.
But Williams was brilliant after his return, averaging 12.3 points and 8.6 assists in 23 games. He averaged 20 points and 8.8 assists in the NCAA Tournament and was named to the Washington, DC Regional All-Tournament team.
"The experiences here at the University of Connecticut included ups and downs," Williams said. "But I think they have all made me into a better person and for that, I will always be grateful."
In 70 games, Williams averaged nine points and 7.3 assists - the school's highest career average. He dished out an average of 8.1 assists in conference play, surpassing the previous record of 7.0 held by Syracuse's Sherman Douglas.
PA Sport
The 6ft 3in point guard, one of the best playmakers in college basketball, will forego his senior season to join fellow Huskies Rudy Gay, a sophomore, and fellow junior Josh Boone in June's draft.
"Over the past few weeks, I've been talking a lot with my family and with Coach (Jim) Calhoun about the options for my future, and at this time, I would like to announce my decision to make myself available for the 2006 NBA draft," Williams said at a press conference.
"It's been a difficult and complicated situation, but I think it's the best for me and my family."
Williams will leave school as the Big East Conference's all-time leader in assists per game despite a roller-coaster ride in his three years at UConn.
The 20-year-old missed the first 11 games of the 2005-06 campaign due to a suspension stemming from his involvement in the theft of laptop computers from campus dorms.
But Williams was brilliant after his return, averaging 12.3 points and 8.6 assists in 23 games. He averaged 20 points and 8.8 assists in the NCAA Tournament and was named to the Washington, DC Regional All-Tournament team.
"The experiences here at the University of Connecticut included ups and downs," Williams said. "But I think they have all made me into a better person and for that, I will always be grateful."
In 70 games, Williams averaged nine points and 7.3 assists - the school's highest career average. He dished out an average of 8.1 assists in conference play, surpassing the previous record of 7.0 held by Syracuse's Sherman Douglas.
PA Sport