The raid on the Big 12 continues, as Kevin Kruger picked up his fourth transfer of the offseason. Donovan Williams is leaving Texas to come to UNLV, according Jeff Goodman.
Williams played the last two seasons at Texas, appearing in 41 games and averaging 10.7 minutes. He put up 3.3 points per game off the bench for the Longhorns.
Before going to Texas, Williams was a four star, top 100 recruit in the 2018 class, according to 247 Sports. Kruger has loaded up on former four star recruits, as Royce Hamm and Jordan McCabe were both four stars in 2016.
The other transfer is Victor Iwuakor, who was a three star, but ranked 152nd by 247 back in 2018. UNLV is looking to find some high-level players that were hidden on the benches of the Big 12.
Unfortunately for UNLV, Williams has not shown the ability to shoot from three. He took 64 threes in his career and made just 21.9 percent. All four of UNLV’s incoming transfers are either non shooters or below 30 percent in their careers.
At 6-foot-6, Williams will give UNLV some much needed size on the perimeter. The last two seasons, UNLV has used mostly undersized guards.
As of now, playing time is wide open for the backcourt. Jordan McCabe and Marvin Coleman are the projected point guards. But Nick Blake is the only other guard or wing on the roster.
Bryce Hamilton (NBA draft/transfer portal) and David Jenkins (transfer portal) could both return, but until they do, UNLV is lacking guards. And Williams will figure to get significant playing time.
Ham is gone, maybe keep Jenkins as a spot up sniper. You really think Kevin is done adding and doesn’t know he needs shooters? Then again nay have to win some low scoring defensive battles this year. I’m good with that, until he can bring in shooters as well as athletes.
Pick up some shot blocking, big time rebounding depth at center, and with the length, size, and quickness you are going to have across the court on D, force a lot of easy break away points. In your face, pressure D is back at UNLV.
Even if UNLV adds 1 or 2 good shooters, UNLV is still likely playing lots of lineups with 3 below average shooters on the floor together.