Without an iota of elaboration, the University of Washington men’s basketball program announced three defections Friday — sophomore G Nigel Williams-Goss, sophomore G Darin Johnson and junior C Gilles Dierickx all received scholarship releases from head coach Lorenzo Romar.
Williams-Goss, whose potential transfer was reported Thursday, averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 30 games last season en route to his selection as second-team All-Pac-12. Also an Academic All-America choice, Williams-Goss will have to sit out a year if he intends to transfer to a Division I school.
Johnson played in 26 games (one start) and averaged 4.4 points while Dierickx averaged one point in 14 appearances.
The 6-foot-3 Williams-Goss, a native of Happy Valley OR., and a graduate of Findlay (NV.) Prep, came to Washington in 2013 as a McDonald’s and Parade All-America pick. As a freshman, he averaged 13.3 points, set a class record with 140 assists and made the All-Pac-12 freshman team.
Last season, Williams-Goss scored in double figures 23 times with a career-high 31 points in a game against California. He also had a 30-point contest against Washington State and was one of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, presented annually to the nation’s top point guard. Williams-Goss set a sophomore record with 170 assists.
Neither Williams-Goss, nor Johnson and Dierickx, have given any indication where they intend to transfer. Arkansas and UNLV have been mentioned as possibilities for Williams-Goss, who still could declare for the NBA draft or step down in class to a Division II school, where he could play immediately.
A report Thursday indicated that Williams-Goss was upset over Washington’s 16-15 finish after 11-0 and 14-4 starts, while another said that a “lack of cohesion” between Williams-Goss and his teammates contributed to the team’s implosion.
3 Comments
Betting Gonzaga recruits hard for him. They’d love to have a repeat of what they got with Dan Dickau but Williams-Goss’ game is more advance than what Dickau’s was at this point. Few would love to steal a Husky away from Romar. Reading the Times interview sounds like either he believes the program is on a downward spiral or he isn’t getting along with his teammates. Have to admit it seemed obvious that there was a degree of dissension on the team until the last few games. He was very non-committal about his thoughts on Coach Romar, saying he has a good relationship with him but not more than that. Maybe his departure is a good thing, maybe it isn’t. Time will tell.
Going with Gonzaga is a virtual guaranatee of a tournament game. Which is probably all he is looking to get out of his college career. He can’t go back and do it over again.
But is it a guarantee that Coach Few will play him? Especially after sitting a season?