Indiana Troy Williams Elects to Stay in NBA draft

With the May 25 deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft, the Big Ten schools began hearing about their players draft decisions. The Indiana Hoosiers got some bad news Tuesday when they heard Troy Williams will forego his senior season and enter the NBA draft. Williams's final season as a Hoosier was spent averaging 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior.

Williams posted his love for his old school on Instagram and Twitter Wednesday saying "Once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier." He thanked everyone who helped him along his journey at Indiana including his family, friends and coach Tom Crean.

Williams will enter the draft after a decent showing at the NBA combine. Williams averaged 8.5 points and four rebounds during the Thursday and Friday scrimmages at the combine. Williams also went 3-4 from beyond the arch during those scrimmages earning him NBA workouts with teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

With Williams decision now official, Indiana head coach Tom Crean has avoided what could have been a complicated scholarship situation. After signing five prospects for their 2016 freshman class Indiana has 13 scholarship players. with James Blackmon Jr. deciding to return to Indiana, making him the final player on the roster. Crean recently signed junior college transfer Freddie McSwain. Williams departure was foreshadowed earlier this month when McSwain signed and it was reporter Blackmon was leaning towards returning, meaning all the scholarships were accounted for. If Williams decided to return, Indiana would have needed to release a player from his scholarship.

Williams departure leaves Indiana with a problem on the wing. Collin Hartman will be the only other senior on a talented, yet inexperienced Indiana roster. The loss of Williams leaves Indiana without their most athletic starter. The Hoosier will now rely on Blackmon and Robert Johnson to replace the scoring the team will lose due to the departure of Yogi Ferrell and Williams. Blackmon and Johnson both suffered injuries last season and will look to have bounce back years while manning the Hoosiers back court. Indiana will have depth at guard but will lack size following the graduation of Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Max Bielfeldt.

Troy Williams is Draft Express' 86th ranked player in this years draft but is not featured in their mock draft.