:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47525597/christian-williams.0.0.jpg)
Christian Williams
Bio: Fr. 6-6, 200 lbs. (Decatur, IL)
Last season: High School (Caring is Creepy)
What we saw last season: Christian Williams last year was a senior in high school dominating his way through Class 2A in Illinois. He took his team, Teresa High School, all the way to the state title game putting up big numbers. He averaged 18.7 points per game and 8.6 boards. Even with these numbers, it took a while for Iowa to offer. Fran swooped in and got Williams away from a bunch of mid-major types in March.
What we need to see this season: Williams played point guard in high school and is the most point guard-looking player on the roster outside of Mike Gessel and Anthony Clemmons, both of whom will be graduating after this year. So he's probably the 3rd PG this year and will hopefully get enough experience there to be the guy next year.
Williams may be able to see more time at the 2 this year behind Peter Jok, though will also need to compete with the other two incoming freshmen guards, Andrew Fleming and Isaiah Moss.
Best case scenario: Williams learns the point position from Gesell and Clemmons and really gets a handle on it. He's got good length and athleticism that could really provide a different dimension at PG. Imagine Iowa going big with a 6-6 PG, a 6-6 SG, and a slew of forwards. While learning the point, Williams emerges as a real threat as a wing player and becomes Peter Jok's back-up and plays off Gessel really well. It could be like Jok's freshman year...10 minutes and 5 points per game.
Most likely scenario: With two seniors ahead of him at point guard, and a potential log jam at shooting guard, Williams will really have to earn every minute. I don't think he redshirts though. He gets a few minutes per game as a role player and shows a few flashes.
One request: The roster has 12 players between 6-4 and 6-7 -- and many of them can play multiple positions. Fran will need to carve out roles for players like Williams so they can get on the floor and improve.