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It’s probably not overly dramatic to say that the upside of Tennessee’s 2019-20 season hangs in the balance this weekend. Why? The Vols’ star power forward Grant Williams is set to announce his final NBA decision on Saturday.
Williams told Allie LaForce and Andy Katz today that he would be announcing his final decision over the weekend.
Grant Williams is such a grownup for just 20 years old!!! Class act. Will make his decision on whether or not to go pro Saturday after talking to teams this week. Wishing him the best! @Vol_Hoops @NBATV @TheAndyKatz pic.twitter.com/5hIzqwoAxv
— Allie LaForce (@ALaForce) May 14, 2019
Williams declared on April 9th with the ability to return to school by the end of May. As LaForce noted in her tweet, Williams spoke with teams this week about his stock and how he’s viewed in the league.
The two-time SEC player of the year is a projected first round selection by most analysts, landing somewhere between the 20th and 30th selections in most mock drafts. Williams has overcome his lack of size over the past two seasons to become a certified legend in Knoxville.
Williams averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 rebound per game last season for Tennessee. He flashed more range than we’ve seen in previous years, stepping out to hit 32 percent from the three point line. That addition was a must for Williams to play at the next level.
He has a chance to return to Tennessee and join some elite company like Pete Maravich and Bernard King as a three-time SEC player of the year. More importantly, his return would signal another chance for Tennessee to win big next spring with veterans Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden set to return.
Tennessee is also waiting on a final decision from rising senior point guard Jordan Bone, who also declared for the draft in early April. The deadline to withdraw and return to school is May 29th.