Here's the release from Wake media relations:
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest men’s basketball program announced Wednesday (Apr. 27) the addition of Matt Williams, who will compete as a graduate student in 2016-17. A 6-5 guard, Williams transfers to Wake Forest from UCF, where he averaged 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Knights last season.
Williams will graduate from UCF this summer with a human communications degree and will be immediately eligible to play for the Demon Deacons in 2016-17.
“We are happy to announce that Matt will be a part of our program for the upcoming season,” said head coach Danny Manning. “He is an established player at the college level and we look forward to his experience helping guide our younger student-athletes. We had a great visit with Matt, his Dad - Matt Sr. and his Mom - Cassandra. We are also excited that Matt will be able to obtain his graduate degree here at Wake Forest. We welcome them to the Wake Forest Basketball family.”
Williams appeared in 86 games during his four years at UCF, making 21 starts. He averaged 6.4 points per game while shooting 36.5 percent from behind the arc during his career. His 148 career 3-pointers rank 10th in UCF history.
Last season he averaged 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, appearing in all 30 games with 18 starts. He made a team-high 55 3-pointers and averaged 25.9 minutes per game. His 37 long-range field goals during conference play ranked 11th in the American Athletic Conference. He scored a career-high 24 points against Cincinnati, making 6-of-12 from behind the arc.
Williams missed most of the 2014-15 due to injury, playing in the season opener against Stetson before sitting out the rest of the season and receiving a medical hardship waiver. In 2013-14, he appeared in all 31 games for the Knights, making three starts, averaging 6.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the team and ranked 11th in the American in 3-point percentage at 38.4 percent (56-146).
As a freshman in 2012-13, he appeared in 26 games off the bench, averaging 5.0 points per game and making 37 3-pointers.
“When I came on my visit, I felt like I fit in with everyone at Wake Forest, the coaches and the players,” said Williams. “I enjoyed meeting the guys, getting to play with them and getting to know them. I feel like I am a hard-nosed defender, who can do multiple things on the offensive end. Most importantly, I am a leader, a hard-worker and a gym rat. I want to come in and help these guys fulfill their potential.”
A native of Orlando, Williams was an all-state honoree at Jones High School, where he averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a senior, leading the school to the state championship game.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest men’s basketball program announced Wednesday (Apr. 27) the addition of Matt Williams, who will compete as a graduate student in 2016-17. A 6-5 guard, Williams transfers to Wake Forest from UCF, where he averaged 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Knights last season.
Williams will graduate from UCF this summer with a human communications degree and will be immediately eligible to play for the Demon Deacons in 2016-17.
“We are happy to announce that Matt will be a part of our program for the upcoming season,” said head coach Danny Manning. “He is an established player at the college level and we look forward to his experience helping guide our younger student-athletes. We had a great visit with Matt, his Dad - Matt Sr. and his Mom - Cassandra. We are also excited that Matt will be able to obtain his graduate degree here at Wake Forest. We welcome them to the Wake Forest Basketball family.”
Williams appeared in 86 games during his four years at UCF, making 21 starts. He averaged 6.4 points per game while shooting 36.5 percent from behind the arc during his career. His 148 career 3-pointers rank 10th in UCF history.
Last season he averaged 8.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, appearing in all 30 games with 18 starts. He made a team-high 55 3-pointers and averaged 25.9 minutes per game. His 37 long-range field goals during conference play ranked 11th in the American Athletic Conference. He scored a career-high 24 points against Cincinnati, making 6-of-12 from behind the arc.
Williams missed most of the 2014-15 due to injury, playing in the season opener against Stetson before sitting out the rest of the season and receiving a medical hardship waiver. In 2013-14, he appeared in all 31 games for the Knights, making three starts, averaging 6.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the team and ranked 11th in the American in 3-point percentage at 38.4 percent (56-146).
As a freshman in 2012-13, he appeared in 26 games off the bench, averaging 5.0 points per game and making 37 3-pointers.
“When I came on my visit, I felt like I fit in with everyone at Wake Forest, the coaches and the players,” said Williams. “I enjoyed meeting the guys, getting to play with them and getting to know them. I feel like I am a hard-nosed defender, who can do multiple things on the offensive end. Most importantly, I am a leader, a hard-worker and a gym rat. I want to come in and help these guys fulfill their potential.”
A native of Orlando, Williams was an all-state honoree at Jones High School, where he averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a senior, leading the school to the state championship game.
