Nick Williams will not return next season

by Alex Bozich in Media | April 15th, 2009

The scholarship situation in Bloomington is starting to sort itself out. A couple of weeks ago, the Hoosiers were oversigned by a scholarship and speculation grew on players considering a transfer. First, it was Malik Story. And now, his roommate and fellow freshman Nick Williams has also decided to leave the program.

Our friend Chris Korman of The Herald-Times/Hoosier Scoop was first to report the transfer:

“After the season, Nick expressed displeasure with his role this year and also shared concern with members of our coaching staff about his future role in the program, ” said Crean. “He is a fine young man and we have enjoyed our relationship with him over time. He played hard and did some very good things for us and we wish him the best.”

The decision by Williams is a curious one considering he originally signed with Marquette and then followed Crean to Bloomington last spring. But when you consider that Maurice Creek is coming into the program, Devan Dumes commands his share of looks and Verdell Jones came into his own down the stretch, Williams, like Story, would likely have taken a tumble down the depth chart. As of right now, IU will enter next season with 12 scholarship players. There is, however, a possibility that another player could be added to the 2009 class as the staff continues to evaluate talent this spring.

Korman’s story also reported that walk-on Broderick Lewis has left the team. The complete release from IU, with more comments from Crean and a quote from Williams, after the jump.

(Photo credit: Indianapolis Star)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University men’s basketball coach Tom Crean has announced that freshman forward Nick Williams, a native of Mobile, Alabama will not return to the program.

“After the season, Nick expressed displeasure with his role this year and also shared concern with members of our coaching staff about his future role in the program, ” said Crean. “He is a fine young man and we have enjoyed our relationship with him over time. He played hard and did some very good things for us and we wish him the best.”

Williams started 29 games and averaged 8.9 points and 4.5 rebounds. He was fourth on the team averaging 26.5 minutes per game.

“It was a difficult decision, but one I felt I needed to make as I looked at the future,” said Williams. “I want to thank everyone at IU for their support this season. I’m going to finish up the semester and then begin the process of finding a program where I can come in and have an impact for them.”

The Hoosiers will have one open scholarship for next season should they choose to use it.

“We will continue to recruit and work with the young men who have embraced the challenge of
competition that is in front of them as we rebuild this great program,” Crean added.

Tags: Malik Story, Nick Williams, Tom Crean

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pacino

He was a hard worker and fine player. I wish him the best. It shows that we are starting to get some real talent in the cream and crimson. I like it alot! Practice will be very competitive and bring out the best of all our hoosiers. Maybe this is a sign of more great talent arriving in B-Town!

Hardwood83

That is too bad, I like him and although I don't think he would ever be a superstar he was solid with more upside and could provide depth and on this team a bit of experience. It's no shock there is this much turn-over still will be nice when it settles down.

MemphisHoosier

i saw this coming but am sad to see it happen. he could do a lot of things on the court and rebounded extremely well for his size. would love to have him on the team but i understand he wants to play a bigger role in a team and i hope he finds the right place to do that. I'll be pulling for him wherever he and Malik both go since they gave their all to the Hoosiers this trying season

Bryan

This sucks - Nick was more talented than some of the guys that are still with the team. That said, I hope he winds up at a school that can give him the playing time he is looking for, because the backcourt at IU is a little crowded right now.

Now, since there's one open scholarship, any ideas if the coaching staff is leaning towards adding another recruit this year, or holding it in reserve for next season and/or giving a walk-on a break on tuition for 1 year? I kind of think they need to start worrying about evening out the numbers in each graduating class, so that the team isn't decimated every 2-3 years.

Also, is there any indication that the team is in better standing for this year's APR? IU held one scholarship back this season to pre-emtively pay for last year's failing grade - are things improved enough to avoid doing that this year?

Scott W

this is too bad. Nick was one of the players I was hoping to be around for four years. Good Luck Nick.

Ryan W

Not a huge deal, probably best for the team and the player next season. Where was he going to get minutes other than garbage time?

I do, however, hope this is the end of the player leak. Tijan Jobe and Devan Dumes are welcome to stay not only based on their talent but because they have expiring schoarships after next year. Pritch and VJ3 are obviously welcome on talent.

Roth I could see wanting to leave, but I hope he doesn't. He's never going to be NBA quality and I think if he develops his driving ability he could see meaningful minutes next year, although that may change in '10-11 depending on who comes in.

As to what happens with the now open scholarship, I imagine Finkelmeier gets some $$ help for a year.

Alan

I think you are absolutely correct. I cannot understand why most respondents are saying they will miss him...unless they miss the idea of IU rising all the way to mediocrity.

I do not know Nick Williams as a person, but as a player I do not see him as a starter for a top 10 team. Nor do I see him as a "first player off the bench" for a top 10 team.

Hardwood83

No, he probably wouldn't have been a starter- but he's a hard-working, skilled player with potential to continue improving. If we want to be an elite team we'll need lots of good players- not just starters. Depth & experience are huge, and can't have either one with good players leaving. Losing Williams doesn't help the team, anyway you look at it.

SB_Hoosier

I think you're right that he's not a starter or 6th man on a Top 10 team, but we're not a Top 10 team either. Nor will we be one next year. While he wouldn't have been the most talented player on the team, his experience would have been valuable. Kyle Taber would not see the court with a Top 10 team, but you could see the difference between his understanding of the game and court presence, and the rest of the teams. Even with subpar talent, his experience was valued last season. I don't think Nick Williams talent will be missed as much as his experience and leadership.

Nathaniel Falk

Sad to see such a passionate player leave

Kelin Blab

A few things here......
1.ITH gang you are being real nice to 'mention' Broderick Lewis leaving, no offense kid but dude where are you going?

2. Not sure about this one with Nick, I am kinda ok, but I am kinda not, but I wish him the best. My question is...not satisfied with your role..Nick umm didn't you start over your roomy who I thought was better? I really thought you had a role on this team next year given your experience.

3. The scholly situtation is working out, not sure if I want anyone else signed this year unless it is a solid solid solid big man.

4. The next person that mentions Matt Roth's name on here and the word leaving I am going to hunt you down....I love matt roth.

5. I hope Tijan has gotten better ....just give some defensive minutes

6. This has to be the last person to leave....

GFDave

Mat Roth. Matt Roth. Matt Roth. Leaving. Leaving. Leaving. LOL.

But in all seriousness I don't understand how Williams could be unhappy with his role. He got lots of PT and had every chance to show what he could do. He should have reasonably expected to have a good opportunity this fall.

PS, I saw the team running last week on campus and Roth was suffering way more than anybody else. He needs to work harder because he isn't going to get by on talent alone.

Kelin Blab

Roth needs to run with a basketball in his hand and work on that crossover.....

CraiginOR

if coach ran the motion for Roth he could be all Big Ten. Think box and one and Tijan. Always like your comments Kelin.

HoosierDavey

I am not shocked because of the rumors out there, but I am surprised. I hate this because I thought Nick could be a solid bench performer/occasional starter for us in the future. His experience this year would have been really nice to have next year. Don't know the whole story with Lewis, but I can't imagine him playing at anywhere near the level of IU. Wish them both well, though.

Hoping this is it. I would be really disappointed to lose anyone else. Stick with it Matt and Tom- it will be worth it!

mark

When a team is rebuilding with all new players, coaches, and systems I think it is important to build some continuity with quality kids. I think Nick would have been great on the team. Not just as a player but as a kid to show the new kids what it is like to be at IU and play for Coach. We need some stability and this is an unfortunate setback.

Mark

Jimbo

We kept telling you about the transfers at Marquette but you guys didn't want to listen. This will become a tradition, not an exception.

CraiginOR

zeke could find a place for nick at FIU

HoosierSmitty

That's a bummer. I liked Nick Williams.

JerryCT

Trying to decode the statements it seems that NW was feeling stuck at small forward which is just not in his long run interest. I don't like this a bit for us and Crean but then again playing against 6'8" + guys under the basket every game was not taking NW where he needs to go either.

I see us now starting 3 guards RIvers, Jones, Dumes w Pritchard and Watford down low. I think we rotate Hulls, Creek with the pure guards ( Dumes, Rivers ) and Elston and Capo for Watford, Jones, Pritchard.

Sorry Kelin but Roth has the most work to do. I believe in him but to avoid becoming a situational player he needs to develop alot of skills I have not yet seen. I want him to be our Jason Bohannon but ............he has work to do

Kelin Blab

Jerry I agree, He can't live out at the NBA three point line for the next 3 years. He DOES have a unique opportunity on this squad being one of the top 3 shooters and having some inside help coming in.....we will see what he does.

Hardwood83

Isn't Roth the perfect candidate to R/S and develop some of those additional skills? I like him too, but there were only a few games he impacted this year- with a year off to improve/develop he could be a real weapon in the future.

Disco_Briscoe

Creek starts...prob over Jones.

Kelin Blab

Here is one thing I don't understand in Malik's and Nick situtation. I played small college basketball and was well aware each year our coach was bringing in players....'who played my position'....to improve our team. It didn't mean he was trying to replace me but it motivated me to do better and if I didn't improve there was a guy waiting in the wings..........

Having said that, these guys have something our incoming frosh don't have which is experience......they don't have the same # of stars next to their names coming in but they do have experience which in some cases can be worth more....

Also interesting will be, what school will they go to? Will they go to a major D-1 school, or go mid major?

Dustin

Although it would be nice to have Nick around next year, it does not worry me. I kind of expected at least a couple guys to transfer after this year. It is just the way things work out when a program is rebuilding from nothing...literally. The same thing happened at Purdue when Gene Keady retired and Painter took over. Guys who looked to have bright futures in the program chose to leave like Korey Spates, Nate Minnoy, and Ije Nwakno. Now Purdue is the reigning Big Ten champs. The guys that stay are the guys that are worth having on the team because it shows they are passionate about IU.

Kelin Blab

So let me revamp my starting line up again....

G- Rivers - is the perfect fit for this team next year and to tutor Hulls

G- VJ - with a year of experience will be hard to handle with his size

G- Dumes - Still like Devans game, and it will get better with help on the inside and out......hope the kid rebound from the things he dealt with on and off the court...

F - The easy thing to say is Wateford, but I think Elston comes in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove and will fight for this spot, so I make this a toss up

C. - TP - Let me speak for big Tom, thanks for the help coach....

Off the bench/in the rotation
Hulls, Creek, Tijan, Bawa, Roth

Playing three combo guards help our rotation a ton with a lot of flexibility based on match ups.....

Sallad

Don't forget Capobianco. We may not be as tall as you like down low, but we have greater number of guys to rotate in there. It's not just Taber, Pritchard, and Jobe anymore, luckily.

Disco_Briscoe

People seem to sleeping on Creek. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays over Jones or Dumes.

Dustin

Crean should go after Nolan Dennis. A 6-5 combo guard. He is a top 50 player in the incoming class. A perfect fit to fill Nick's shoes next year.

tg1438

The problem with going after Dennis is that he's looks to be following Cal to UK. He is a major talent, but not sure the Hoosiers could get a player of that quality late in the game, when others have made inroads to get him. I thought I heard that IU had been looking at Painter, Creek's teammate who is a post player. Not sure if he'd be good enough to go after as a big, and worth losing it for a potential recruit next year.

Kelin Blab

Ahhhh dustin you said those words I don't want to hear right now....combo guard......if we don't get another big man I am going to scream. Although I believe denim shirt was recruiting dennis and he came to visit our midnight madness a couple of years ago.....

Hoosierlawyer

How much influence do you think Coach Crean has in these kids decisions to transfer? I am curious as to how much these types of things surprise the coaching staff. Does he (Crean) have a plan in play and in order to make it work he makes it extremely difficult for certain players to stay or is he completely taken aback by a decision like Story's or Williams?

tberry

I think the coaching staff has a great deal of power and influence in who will stay and who will leave.

Crean recruited the best he could get for this past year but it is obvious that all coaches over-sign if they find a really good player. They do this because they know they can loose the kid one way or the other if they need to.

D.R.

Williams was soft. Soft with the ball, soft around the basket and apparently metally soft. He could have embrased the challenge of the incoming class, instead he wants to be the leading scorer for a mid-major.

I am happy that Jobe is still around. I think he will be beneficial in Bawa's development. He will be great to practice against. ESPNU ranked BAWA #7 center coming out of high school. Not the best source, but interesting.

I wouldn't sleep on Creek. He has all the skills of Dumes with more size. Dumes might start at the beginning of the year, but Creek could finish the year.

Rivers is perfect for this team. A floor leader on offense and someone that can pressure the opposing point guard. Image this team without Moore and VJ3 launching passes into the third row. Dumes, Cheeks and Roth knocking down 3's. VJ3 slashing. And Elston, Watford and Pritchard in the middle. Maybe get some development time for Bawa, Capobianco and Hulls. We are getting there.......

Ben

I don't know if anyone has said this, but I would hold the 1 scholly off for 2010, or a possible APR hit. I don't want to be losing 5 players every year. If we could get top tier talent then I would consider it, but we already have a good class coming in.

brucew

If NW was unhappy at least he waited untill the season was over. He didn`t make waves during the season, and create problems we didn`t need. Have to give him credit for that and wish him well in the future.

MillaRed

A lot of interesting reactions here.

I'm dissappointed with a few comments about NW. That guy had a lot of passion. He chose to pursue the rats nest that was IU basketball 2008-2009 and I give him a lot of credit for that. As far as the "excuse" they gave? They have to say something. Fact is he was looking into the crystal ball and PT was not looking good.

I agree with the Mo Creek theories. That guy will start.

If we end up going, Rivers, VIII and Dumes, who guards the small forward? Rivers while Dumes guards the point? I guess it's possible.

There is more talent left on the table for 2010 than 2009-10. I hope we pursue the 2010 class because we still aren't competing at a high level this fall.

Every team needs a Matt Roth. We have to understand, IU did not have the inside/outside talent to free this kid up. Every team played us on the perimeter. He could develop into the best pure shooter in the Big Ten if he isn't already.

I liked Story and Williams. What we are seeing is the painful part of this rebuild is not over. It's a process that continues to show its ugly side. I'm looking forward to it moving on........

HoosierOdi

I think Dumes would be good coming off the bench. All Roth needs to do is work out, he has the basketball skills just needs to hit the weights and get into great shape. One thing i hope we wont see next year is VJ3 throwing those hero type of passes that get stolen 99% of the time. I don't think he will throw as many because there is now someone off the bench that TC can stick in for him. There is a bright future for this squad, I can feel it.

JerryCT

I would argue that Dumes's experience should be in the game when Hulls is and therefore agree that coming off the bench might eventually be DUmes's role.

In addition his mentality is to make stuff happen which is one of the most valuable assets of a bench player.

aerialM

am disappointed about NW. He was/is a passionate kid who did lots of the little things. That being said, he's got to do those little thing to see some playing time because he's not the best shooter or the best passer or the best on-the-ball defender. And yeah, he'd have had some tough competition for time next year, but transfers are a part of EVERY major program and involve all sorts of things. Not just basketball issues, but classes and the living situation and you never know when you get a kid playing ball away from his home area. Plus, there have been a few coaching changes in SEC country since he was a high school senior, so some schools he never looked at, he might seriously consider now. Purely me guessing here, but I'd say he's looking at/thinking about going home to Alabama where Anthony Grant now is...
best of luck to him. He fought the good fight. He was a part of a team, that, for better or worse, we won't soon forget here at IU.

Sandman

I liked Nick's effort & enthusiasm, best of luck. I think that the logjam at the 2/3 has him thinking of reduced PT. However, he seemed to be coming around toward the end of the year. His experience this year would have given him a big competitive edge. His impatience is sad, but common nowadays.

Perhaps, many arrived hoping for big minutes at a D1, but the fact of the matter is, the work is hard and long just to compete let alone start or play serious minutes, even in a struggling reloading program.

So, the key question is would you rather probably play more minutes at a mid-major OR play for IU no matter the situation & just work to earn your minutes?!? Personally, I want those who REALLY want to be at IU and are not afraid of good competition to get to play.

James

Nick was a winner everywhere he went before IU...and its always hard to lose a player like that. I just always thought that he would eventually be the best player out of the 08 class...even with VJ's scoring burst at the end of the season. Although I agree that there are some kids that might have trumped him eventually...i feel he would have made those young kids earn it. Its just tough to lose these players that had the "trial by fire" big ten treatment last year. Creek, Watford, and Elston are gonna figure that out and may struggle early. Of course Hulls will too but VJ and Rivers will take a lot of pressure off him. It would just be nice to not have to start/rely on more than one freshman again. But thats college ball...
That being said...im glad to hear someone else mention Elston as a possible starter/major contributor next year. I have seen him play a couple times and I really think the kid will be more ready physically then the others coming in. He could be the hidden jem of this class...maybe

cooper

I thought he had a chance to be really good, and become a really good defender, Ron Artest type. I think he will be missed.

Nick Williams will not return next season

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