Curtis Williams Commits

[dariantownesvanzandt]

Another thing I'm happy about seeing is the number of UL fans that are genuinely lamenting his loss, rooting for him in DC, and suggesting he's a good pickup.

[EtomicB]

Apr 21, 2024 7:05:59 GMT -5 BeantownHoya said:

His shot looks solid mechanics-wise, especially on his catch & shoot attempts.

[saxagael]

Curtis Williams, welcome.

Looking at nothing but stats his 3-point shooting at Louisville was .287, his 2-point shooting really struggled in the last third of the season as well with an overall season 2pt average of .373. The end of this high school season he shot well, but really didn't translate to shooting well at all in D1, so far. Looks like back-up and a little help on defense with potentially a long term slot and better adjust his game to D1 and now Big East ball.

His defensive win shares are positive, which helps. Fielder was the top player with defensive win share is positive and the Defensive Box Plus/Minus is a -1.3 which is equal to Styles. Hoyas lost 3 of the 4 top statistical defenders of non-graduating regular players, with only Fielder left (Bristol, Rowan, and Styles were the other top 4 that could have come back.

Hoya need serious outside shooting help and Williams isn't it. Not yet. Montgomery, Fielder, and McKenna may be the best three shooters right now and only Fielder has much playing time.

[DanMcQ]

[thedragon]

I realize that the players have zero in common from a talent level perspective. But from a body style, length, jumper and number - reminds me of T-Mac.

[HometownHoya]

Welcome to the Hilltop! Where does he slot in at the 2-3? Purely a shooting wing or does he have a midrange game? How’s his rebounding?

[professorhoya]

“A 6’7″ wing from Bloomfield, Michigan, Williams looks to add length, athleticism, and toughness to the Louisville basketball roster.”

…

“From Jeff Rabjohns of 247Sports this spring:

“(Williams) made several 3s off the bounce, also hit an elbow jumper off the bounce in his first game on Friday. Kept making shots throughout the weekend. Has the strength in his frame already. Used his shoulders very well on drives, both to clear space and create contact. He made three 3s in the first half of the semifinal game on Sunday, finishing with four made 3s, including a four-point play when he was fouled on a dribble pull-up 3 near the top of the key. Does have some funky sideways spin at times on his three-point shots.””

“Wiliams on his own game:

“I can really shoot the ball, but aside from shooting, I can do everything else. I can rebound, guard your best player, get steals and do anything you need me to do.””

stateoflouisville.com/louisville-basketball-kaleb-glenn-and-curtis-williams-are-officially-cards/

[FrazierFanatic]

Welcome to the Hilltop Mr. Williams, can't wait to see you in blue and gray.
Now - get back to work! Two or three hundred shots a day in the gym, every day between now and September.

[seaweed]

Apr 22, 2024 5:50:14 GMT -5 professorhoya said:

“A 6’7″ wing from Bloomfield, Michigan, Williams looks to add length, athleticism, and toughness to the Louisville basketball roster.”

…

“From Jeff Rabjohns of 247Sports this spring:

“(Williams) made several 3s off the bounce, also hit an elbow jumper off the bounce in his first game on Friday. Kept making shots throughout the weekend. Has the strength in his frame already. Used his shoulders very well on drives, both to clear space and create contact. He made three 3s in the first half of the semifinal game on Sunday, finishing with four made 3s, including a four-point play when he was fouled on a dribble pull-up 3 near the top of the key. Does have some funky sideways spin at times on his three-point shots.””

“Wiliams on his own game:

“I can really shoot the ball, but aside from shooting, I can do everything else. I can rebound, guard your best player, get steals and do anything you need me to do.””

stateoflouisville.com/louisville-basketball-kaleb-glenn-and-curtis-williams-are-officially-cards/

You had me at four point play.

Welcome aboard kid, time to compete. We hope you thrive here. Hoya Saxa

[guru]

I have a hunch this is a kid who is going to over-deliver for us. EC had a bunch of those type of transfers in his PC days. Curtis feels like one of those. Excited to see him play.

[practice]

Somebody hire this kid a shooting coach ... he'll look a lot better if he's shooting 45% from the field and 38%+ from 3!

[lda05816]

Apr 22, 2024 8:51:27 GMT -5 guru said:

I have a hunch this is a kid who is going to over-deliver for us. EC had a bunch of those type of transfers in his PC days. Curtis feels like one of those. Excited to see him play.

Agree. As a reminder Devin Carter shot almost this exact % from 3 his FR year. Williams' stroke looks better than what he shot, and the % was much better before a late season swoon as previously noted. Feels like a low risk, high reward type of signing. He has the talent, just needs to unlock it.

[EtomicB]

Apr 22, 2024 9:51:42 GMT -5 lda05816 said:

Apr 22, 2024 8:51:27 GMT -5 guru said:

I have a hunch this is a kid who is going to over-deliver for us. EC had a bunch of those type of transfers in his PC days. Curtis feels like one of those. Excited to see him play.

Agree. As a reminder Devin Carter shot almost this exact % from 3 his FR year. Williams' stroke looks better than what he shot, and the % was much better before a late season swoon as previously noted. Feels like a low risk, high reward type of signing. He has the talent, just needs to unlock it.

This is correct, through his 1st 20 games he went 28 of 75(37.3%) which is solid.

He shot 7 of 47(14.8%) over his last 12 games.

I look forward to seeing what he can contribute next season.


www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/curtis-williams-8/gamelog/2024

[401to202hoya]

Call me crazy, but his physique and shooting form reminds me of Hollis Thompson. I think we'd all be happy if ended up as Hollis 2.0.

[hoyazeke]

We also have to take into consideration that it's really hard to maximize your potential when your a dependent player on a really bad team. Louisville was one of the few teams that has been worse than GTown over the last few years. If we get decent play out of Mack and Epps at the lead guards positions then Curtis will get good looks. Most of your players below 5* can't shine when they have bad PG play.

[saxagael]

The good thing with the Hoyas currently is there is good skills coaching and helping players improve. The prior Hoya coaching staff series would have players that were decent shooters and see that capability deteriorate.

Hopefully those days are behind the Hoyas for good. There is a need to keep good assistants in the program and helping players grow and improve (having this also helps recruiting freshman and from the portal).

[EtomicB]

Apr 22, 2024 10:31:48 GMT -5 hoyazeke said:

We also have to take into consideration that it's really hard to maximize your potential when your a dependent player on a really bad team. Louisville was one of the few teams that has been worse than GTown over the last few years. If we get decent play out of Mack and Epps at the lead guards positions then Curtis will get good looks. Most of your players below 5* can't shine when they have bad PG play.

Illinois says hello Zeke

Did they even have a player considered to be a lead guard this season?

[SSHoya]

I'm waiting to see Williams in Kenner so I can anoint him the next David Wingate!

[blueandgray]

Apr 21, 2024 10:45:08 GMT -5 EtomicB said:

Apr 21, 2024 7:05:59 GMT -5 BeantownHoya said:

His shot looks solid mechanics-wise, especially on his catch & shoot attempts.

Agree! That follow through is awesome. Seems to be on balance too.

[95hoya]

He doesn’t do much else besides shoot and did that poorly. He wasn’t active defensively or on the boards. He’s a developmental piece so I get it. He just doesn’t give me the warm feels.