Wildcats now wait on Brandon Williams, who will choose between Arizona, Gonzaga, Oregon

Williams, visiting Gonzaga, could make decision soon

When Jahvon Quinerly committed to Arizona back in August 2017, the five-star New Jersey point guard spoke of co-existing with fellow point guard Brandon Williams.

Both players have since decommitted and now, if Williams decides to hop back on board with the Wildcats, he’ll be playing with another point guard.

Samford grad transfer Justin Coleman committed to Arizona on Friday but Williams’ stepfather, Chris Wright, indicated Williams was OK with it. Williams is considering UA, Oregon and Gonzaga, and visited Spokane over the weekend.

“No impact," Wright said by text message of Coleman’s decision. “We were aware of this possible commitment. Right now just focusing on the upcoming visit.”

Grad transfer targets at all of the schools Williams is considering have impacted his recruiting timetable. Wright initially said Williams might wait until June before deciding in order to see how the Wildcats’ off-court issues play out, but that timetable sped up.

“It comes to a point where there’s business to take care of,” Wright said. “These schools are after grad transfers and we thought it wouldn’t be fair to have them waiting around.”

Williams, a speedy 5-foot-10-inch point guard, could have a different role in each system, too: At least as a freshman, he could share backcourts with veteran players on loaded teams at Gonzaga or Oregon — or he could help tie together a 50-50 mesh of new and returning players to help make a postseason push at Arizona.

“There’s just a little different landscape to each of the teams,” Wright said. “Gonzaga is returning almost their whole roster and has a lot of veteran players, and Oregon has five of their core players returning plus a great freshman class. And he would be a big piece if he returned back to Arizona, helping them make the (NCAA) Tournament.”

Here’s how Williams’ choices break down:

OREGON

2017-18 finish: 23-13, lost in NIT second round

Early 2018-19 projected ranking: 10-15

How he'd fit in: Leading scorer Payton Pritchard was the Ducks’ starting point guard last season but can play shooting guard if Williams were to start at the point. The Ducks lose grad transfer guard Elijah Brown and wing Troy Brown (NBA) but return athletic shooting guard Victor Bailey Jr.

Also pursuing: Grad transfers Joe Cremo (Albany) and Matt Mooney (South Dakota), but both are considered combo guards who could also play with Williams and Pritchard.

Wright says: “Oregon, man, that chemistry – if that roster gels, they’ll be in great position… Pritchard started as a point guard but if Brandon was to come they could both play and Oregon could go to a three-guard offense.”

GONZAGA

2017-18 finish: 32-5, lost in NCAA Sweet 16

Early 2018-19 projected ranking: 5-10

How he'd fit in: Returning senior Josh Perkins averaged 5.3 assists and 12.3 points last season, so he’s not going to spend much time off the floor, assuming he recovers fully from offseason shoulder surgery. But Perkins is also capable of playing off the ball when Williams is on the court, and the Zags have managed to keep two point guards happy in recent years, with Perkins and Nigel Williams-Goss, and with Kevin Pangos and David Stockton. Gonzaga is loaded with other wings, including starter Zach Norvell and key backup Corey Kispert.

Also pursuing: Grad transfers Malachi Flynn (WSU) and Cremo.

Wright says: “Perkins has played with other point guards before and he’s real flexible at the one or the two. He did it with Williams-Goss, so it’s the same situation (as Oregon). Brandon just has to come in and do his thing.”

ARIZONA

2017-18 finish: 27-8, lost in NCAA first round

Early 2018-19 projected ranking: Unranked

Backcourt overview: Arizona actually has its most depth so far off the ball, with returnees Dylan Smith, Brandon Randolph and Emmanuel Akot joining newcomers Devonaire Doutrive and Omar Thielemans. But even with the commitment of Samford grad transfer Justin Coleman, the Wildcats need another capable ballhandler; sophomore Alex Barcello showed early promise last season but fell out of the rotation midway through.

Also pursuing: Arizona is still targeting bigs that can play inside, but doesn't currently have another known offer out to a guard.

Wright says: “With Arizona, the ball would be in your hands and you could step in and really run things.”