Rudi Williams Sees Authenticity In BYU Basketball’s Recruiting Pitch
Apr 28, 2022, 6:06 PM | Updated: 7:34 pm
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 11: Rudi Williams #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats grabs a rebound during the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 basketball tournament against the Baylor Bears at the T-Mobile Center on March 11, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – Transfer portal guard Rudi Williams is a top priority for the BYU basketball program.
The former Coastal Carolina and Kansas State prospect just wrapped up an official visit on campus in Provo earlier this week. Williams spent two days in Provo; it was his second to last official visit before going to San Diego State this weekend.
Had a great time on my BYU visit 🐱🔵🏀 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/hyjxwXNz6Y
— Rudi Williams (@Rueadale) April 27, 2022
“They (BYU coaches and players) all showed crazy amounts of love,” Williams said to KSL Sports in a text about his visit to Provo.
The 6-foot-2 Williams entered the Transfer Portal after one season with the Chanticleers. He was one of the best three-point shooters in the land at CCU. According to Ken Pomeroy’s ratings, Williams was the 12th best three-point shooter in college hoops during the 2021-22 season.
Williams jumped 17% in his three-point shooting from his one year at Kansas State to this past year with Coastal.
“A ton of game situation reps in workouts led to confidence,” Williams said about how he improved his shot from three-point range.
Rudi Williams received interest from 30+ teams in the Transfer Portal
After submitting his name to the portal, over 30 schools reached out to Williams, but BYU caught his attention.
“The thing that stuck out about BYU was their sales pitch was real. The way they have been recruiting me from day one has been authentic the entire time, I feel.”
During his visit to Provo, Williams received tours of the faith-based campus and spent some time at Top Golf in Midvale. Along with tours and golf, he took in the usual recruiting protocol by participating in an official visit photo shoot. BYU’s beloved mascot joined in on the fun and was part of the shoot with Williams.
Williams told KSL Sports that his timeline for a decision would come a “week or so after” his visit to San Diego State.
BYU needs a guard with experience to try and fill the void left by three-year starter Alex Barcello who now is off to pursue a professional career.
Williams, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, already has four years of college basketball experience. His first two seasons were at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, then a year in the Big 12 at Kansas State, where he started four games in 27 appearances, then last season in Myrtle Beach.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
