Gonzaga's history of developing forwards helps net prized transfer
When Kelly Olynyk emerged from a redshirt year two years ago with a stronger upper body and a revamped post-up game, the ex-Gonzaga forward did more than just develop into a first-team All-American and a first-round draft pick the following year.
His success also paved the way for Gonzaga to become a destination for elite transfers hoping to make a similar transformation while sitting out a year.
Kyle Wiltjer transferred from Kentucky in 2013, became one of the nation's most versatile scorers this past season and is considered a potential national player of the year candidate next year. Highly touted former Washington point guard Nigel Williams-Goss chose the Zags earlier this spring and will sit out this coming season. And this past weekend Gonzaga landed another prized transfer, outdueling Georgetown and SMU for former Missouri forward Johnathan Williams III.
The addition of Williams goes a long way toward solidifying Gonzaga's frontcourt after next season. The Zags will definitely lose Wiltjer and mammoth center Przemek Karnowski to graduation and could also lose rising sophomore Domantas Sabonis to the NBA draft.
Williams should give Mark Few a frontcourt piece around which to build for the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-9 former consensus top 75 recruit was one of the few bright spots for a dismal 23-loss Missouri team as a sophomore, averaging a team-high 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks and showcasing the ability to score in the paint and from the perimeter.
Where a redshirt year could help Williams is if he is able to further diversify his offensive repertoire. He sank 34 percent of his 3-point shots as a sophomore, but he could get more consistent with his jump shot and improve putting the ball on the floor.
With Williams and Ryan Edwards in the frontcourt, Gonzaga should be in good shape even if Sabonis leaves for the NBA next spring. That group will join a backcourt that should also include Williams-Goss, former top 100 recruit Josh Perkins and several capable wings.
So Gonzaga is well-positioned to be nationally relevant not just next season but the year after. And they owe some of that roster building success to the precedent Olynyk set while sitting out two years ago.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
