BYU Roundup: Williams declares for NBA Draft
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU's Rudi Williams (3) drives past Utah's Rollie Worster during a men's basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, December 17, 2022.BYU graduate transfer Rudi Williams announced on social media Wednesday that he will be entering the 2023 NBA Draft.
Williams, a 6-foot-2 guard from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, averaged 12.8 points per game in his only season in Provo after transferring from Coastal Carolina. Williams shot 46% from the field, 31% from the 3-point line and 84% from the free throw line while averaging 2.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. His best scoring total was 28 points, reached in a loss at San Francisco on Jan. 21.
“First I would like to thank God for allowing me to play the game that I truly love at such a high level,” Williams wrote. “The game of basketball has opened so many doors for me and has put people in my life that I am forever grateful for. I am appreciative of the journey that it has been throughout the years because I believe it has prepared me for what’s to come.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends and everyone else who played a major role in not only me becoming the player I am but the young man I’ve become as well. It has definitely taken a village and I am thankful for everyone who has been a part of the journey.
“With that being said, I am proud to announce that I’ll be entering my name in the 2023 NBA Draft.”
Williams and Gideon George were the only two seniors on the BYU roster this season. Freshman Braeden Moore and walk-on Hao Dong have entered the transfer portal and Cougar coach Mark Pope has spent the past two weeks in individual meetings with the rest of the players on the roster.
The BYU coaching staff has also been active in the transfer portal and is expected to eventually sign as many as three or four players.
Baseball opens home stand
BYU baseball begins a four-game home stand with a three-game series against West Coast Conference foe San Francisco at Miller Park beginning Thursday. The Cougars will then welcome Utah Tech to Provo for a midweek game on Tuesday, April 11.
First pitch for the Thursday and Friday games is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT, with the Saturday game slated to begin at 1 p.m. MT. The Tuesday game against UT is also scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Cougars enter the weekend series with a 9-18 record and are also 3-6 in WCC games. BYU has played home games against Omaha (2-1), Utah (1-0), UVU (1-0) and Saint Mary’s (1-2). The Cougars are 5-3 in games at Miller Park but have played 19 of 27 games on the road so far in 2023. The Cougars and Dons are currently tied for 7th in the WCC standings, just one game behind Santa Clara and two games back of San Diego and Saint Mary’s.
The Dons are 12-11 on the year and 3-6 in WCC play. USF is also 3-6 on the road with games at Fresno State (0-1), San Jose State (0-1) Washington State (1-0), Gonzaga (0-3) and Pacific (2-1).
All four games will be broadcast live on the BYUtv App and online at BYUtv.org with Dave McCann and Gary Sheide providing play-by-play and analysis. The games will also air live on the BYU Radio App and 107.9 in northern Utah with the Voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell on the call.
Thursday marks the 40th meeting between BYU and San Francisco. The Cougars are 21-18 all-time versus the Dons and 18-12 since joining the WCC in the 2011-12 season. Last year, USF won the three-game series, 2-1, in San Francisco. The Cougars hold an 11-4 home advantage over the Dons dating back to the first game played in Provo between the two schools on May 9, 2013.
Following the four-game home stand, BYU hits the road again for a three-game WCC series in Santa Clara, California, April 13-15.
Alumni invited to Robison Invitational
BYU track and field invites its alumni to return to Provo for a special event at Clarence F. Robison Track and Field Complex on April 22.
Alumni are invited to join current BYU coaches and athletes for a meal and senior recognitions following the conclusion of the Cougars’ annual Robison Invitational at approximately 4:30 p.m.
“We have a wonderful heritage of track and field athletes that have represented BYU at the highest levels both as athletes and alumni,” said BYU Director of Track and Field Ed Eyestone. “We look forward to welcoming them back to enjoy the meet and a meal while they get to know our current team and renew acquaintances with past teammates.”
The event will also include a special commemoration of the facility and invitational’s name-sake: legendary BYU head coach Clarence Robison.
