Photo courtesy of BYU
BYU’s Rudi Williams (3) runs past Utah’s Rollie Worster during a men’s basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
BYU transfer graduate Rudi Williams announced on social media on Wednesday that he will be entering the 2023 NBA draft.
Williams, a 6-foot guard from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, averaged 12.8 points per game in his only season in Provo after leaving 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 game. His best total score was 28 points, obtained in a loss at San Francisco on January 21.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me to play the game I love so much at such a high level,” Williams wrote. “Basketball has opened so many doors for me and placed people in my life that I will always be grateful for. I appreciate how far I’ve come over the years because I believe it prepared me for this. which is to come.
“Finally, I want to thank my family and my friends and everyone who played a major role in not only becoming the player I am today, but also the young man I have become. It really needed of a village and I thank everyone for being part of this journey.
“With that, I’m proud to announce that I will be entering my name in the 2023 NBA Draft.”
Williams and Gideon George are the only two seniors on BYU’s roster this season. Freshmen Braeden Moore and Hao Dong have reached the transfer portal, and Cougar coach Mark Pope has spent the past two weeks in one-on-one meetings with the rest of the roster.
BYU’s coaching staff is also active on the transfer portal and is expected to sign up to three or four players.
Baseball opened a home stand
BYU Baseball begins its four-game home run with a three-game tie against West Coast Conference opponents San Francisco at Miller Park starting Thursday. The Cougars next host Utah Tech in Provo for a midweek game on Tuesday, April 11.
The first pitch for Thursday and Friday games is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MT, with Saturday’s game scheduled for 1:00 p.m. MT. Tuesday’s game against UT is also scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Cougars entered 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 playing at Miller Park, but have played 19 of 27 away games so far in 2024. The Cougars and Dons are currently 7th in the WCC standings, just one game away of Santa Clara and two games back. San Diego and St. Mary’s.
The Dons are 12-11 this 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 game will also air live on the BYU Radio app and 107.9 in northern Utah with Voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell on call.
Thursday marked the 40th meeting between BYU and San Francisco. The Cougars are 21-18 all-time against the Don and 18-12 since joining the WCC in the 2011-12 season. Last year, USF won a three-game series, 2-1, in San Francisco. The Cougars have held an 11-4 home advantage over the Dons since the first game played in Provo between the two schools on May 9, 2013.
After a four-game stand at home, BYU returned for the WCC’s three-game series in Santa Clara, Calif., April 13-15.
Graduates are invited to the Robison Invitational
BYU Athletics invites its alumni to return to Provo for a special event at the Clarence F. Robison Athletics Complex on April 22.
Alumni are invited to join current BYU coaches and athletes for a meal and senior recognition after the Cougars’ annual Robison Invitational concludes at approximately 4:30 p.m.
“We have a legacy of incredible track and field athletes who have represented BYU at the highest level as athletes and alumni,” said BYU Director of Athletics Ed Eyestone. “We look forward to welcoming them back to enjoy a meet and greet while getting to know our current squad and reconnecting with former teammates.”
The event will also include a special memorial to the facility and the name of the guest: legendary BYU head coach Clarence Robison.
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