Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss Will Enter 2017 NBA Draft

Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who was a second-team All-American selection this season, will forego his senior season and enter the 2017 NBA Draft, he announced on his Instagram page:

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Two years ago I transferred to Gonzaga University with three main goals: earn my college degree, improve my game and help Gonzaga reach its first ever Final Four. I’m proud to say all three of my goals were met. In the classroom, I earned my degree in Psychology and have begun work on my Masters. On the court, my teammates and I made school history winning 37 games, advanced to the Final Four, and played in the National Championship game. Coming to Gonzaga is the best decision I ever made. What I was most surprised by this season was not the wins, awards, or recognition, but rather the genuine love I felt with our fans in Spokane. Since arriving, everywhere I went, I have been surrounded by love from the Gonzaga community. I cannot describe the incredible relationships I have formed in my time here and would not trade my experience for anything in the world. I could not be more grateful or humbled to call myself a Zag for life! After many discussions with my coaches and family, I have decided to enter the 2017 NBA Draft with representation. I am 100% confident in this decision and believe I am prepared both mentally and physically to take this step in my career and my life. As always, I give all glory to God for granting me this opportunity. I will continue to represent the entire Gonzaga community to the best of my ability. To all my teammates, coaches, fans, supporters, and believers…I love you and thank you! Forever and always… #GoZags

A post shared by Nigel Williams-Goss (@nigelwg5) on Apr 18, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

In his junior year (his first for Gonzaga), Williams-Goss averaged a career-high 16.8 points despite playing the fewest minutes per game (32.7) of his college career.

Williams-Goss shot career-high percentages across the board in his junior year: 48.6 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from the arc and 86.7 percent from the free throw line. He also averaged career-highs in rebounds (6.0) and steals (1.7) per game, while dishing out 4.7 assists per game.

Williams-Goss has solid size (6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-6 wingspan) for a guard but doesn’t have the elite athleticism that scouts look for in prospects. In all likelihood, Williams-Goss will be a mid-to-late-second-round pick. However, his stock could be boosted (or lowered) based on his performance at the NBA’s Draft Combine in May.

Williams-Goss joins teammate Zach Collins in declaring for the draft.

Williams-Goss led Gonzaga to its most successful basketball season ever this year. Gonzaga advanced to its first Final Four appearance in school history and made the national championship before falling to North Carolina.