July 15, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Elliot Williams, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo guard who played his freshman season at Duke University in 2008-09, has transferred to the University of Memphis, Tigers' head coach Josh Pastner officially announced Wednesday. Williams is taking courses during the school's second summer session that began on Tuesday.

"Elliot is an outstanding student-athlete and a tremendous individual," said Pastner. "Our fans and the city of Memphis already know a lot about Elliot because he played his high school career here in Memphis, and we welcome him and his family into the Tiger basketball family."

Williams saw action in 34 of the Blue Devils' 37 games this past season. The Memphis, Tenn., native made 12 starts, including 11 of Duke's final 12 games. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 44.1 percent from the field. Williams also had 23 assists and 21 steals. Williams' numbers increased in his 12 starts, as he averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 boards and shot 47.9 percent from the floor in those contests.

This past season, Williams helped lead Duke to a 30-7 overall record and a spot in the 2009 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Blue Devils captured the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament championship and finished second in the ACC regular season with an 11-5 league mark.

Prior to his year at Duke, Williams was a three-year letterwinner for head coach Jeff Ruffin at St. George's Independent School in Collierville. As a senior in 2007-08, Williams averaged 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in leading St. George's to a 24-3 overall record. Selected the 2008 Division II-A Mr. Basketball, he was named to the 2007-08 Parade magazine All-America second team and the 2008 McDonald's All-America squad. In the McDonald's All-America Game, Williams played for the East squad and had 10 points and two boards in the East's 107-102 victory.

In his junior season in 2006-07, Williams averaged 25.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists in leading the Gryphons to a 24-6 record and a spot in the state championship game. Williams averaged 26.2 points, 7.8 boards and 4.2 assists as a sophomore in 2005-06.

Williams was named All-State as a junior and senior, and he also earned All-District accolades three years. He was a consensus top-20 recruit and was also ranked a top-6 shooting guard by ESPN 100, Scout.com and Rivals.com.