Tigers hoping to get forward Latavious Williams today
By Dan Wolken (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The University of Memphis hopes to add a key roster piece for the 2009-10 season when forward Latavious Williams announces his college destination today at 2 p.m.
Williams will make the announcement during a press conference at his school, the Humble Christian Life Center near Houston. He has been considering Memphis along with Georgetown, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Florida International.
Originally from Starkville, Miss., Williams is the 17th-ranked player in the class of 2009, according to Rivals.com. Josh Pastner, who was an assistant at Memphis last season under John Calipari, recruited Williams throughout the year but made him a priority once he got the head coaching job on April 6.
Williams told Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com last week that Memphis was his leader.
At an athletic 6-7 with a high motor, Williams can play either small forward or power forward and would likely be a key contributor right off the bat for Memphis. Getting Williams in the fold would be especially crucial if forward Shawn Taggart chooses to remain in the NBA draft rather than return to school for his senior season.
The only question mark is whether Williams, a fifth-year senior, will be academically eligible next season. But it's a chance Pastner would obviously be willing to take, especially given Williams' talent level.
If Williams chooses Memphis, he'll join junior college standout Will Coleman in Pastner's first recruiting class. The Tigers would probably sign one or two more players -- likely at the guard and/or wing positions -- to fill out the roster. Memphis has just eight players on scholarship for 2009-10 counting Taggart.
