After considering a delay until spring, Los Angeles point guard Brandon Williams has decided to sign non-binding scholarship papers with the Arizona Wildcats.
Williams announced on Twitter that that he would sign on Friday at Crespi High School at noon Arizona time.
Williams' father, Chris Wright, had said on Tuesday that his son likely would wait until the spring signing period while the federal investigation plays out. He said Wednesday that the family opted for the non-binding option after a discussion with UA coach Sean Miller.
Players can either sign binding national letters-of-intent or non-binding scholarship papers, though some coaches might not guarantee them a spot without the binding NLI.
"Coach Miller gave me a call and said I understand why you're not signing an NLI but I have this (scholarship papers) in my pocket," Wright said. "And they know we're coming. They know I'm a straight shooter."
For Wright, who said his son is firmly committed to becoming a Wildcat, the non-binding papers were an ideal solution. They allow Arizona to announce Williams' decision, while also giving Williams an option to escape if UA runs into NCAA sanctions as a result of the FBI investigation.
"That’s what changed it — the financial support papers that we're signing," Wright said. "This is an easy out in case something happens but make this clear: We are coming as long as Sean Miller is in good standing."
Before speaking with Miller on Tuesday night, Wright said he was "99 percent" certain his son would wait until the spring because of the ongoing federal investigation into college basketball that resulted in the arrest of UA assistant coach Book Richardson.
UA may eventually face NCAA sanctions as a result of the federal report. In the Sept. 26 federal complaint, Richardson was alleged to have taken $20,000 from a sports agent, a sports agent said a current UA player has been paid, and a shoe company rep said Arizona offered another recruit $150,000.
