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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga, Oregon and Arizona await top-recruit Brandon Williams’ decision Saturday

The glass entry doors of the recently remodeled Gonzaga men’s basketball locker room. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

And now, three schools wait until Saturday.

Brandon Williams concluded his weekend recruiting visit to Gonzaga by catching a flight home Monday morning to southern California. He tweeted Monday afternoon that he’ll announce his decision at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Ballislife All-American Game at Cerritos College.

Williams, the highest-rated uncommitted point guard on ESPN.com’s 2018 top 100, is considering GU, Oregon and Arizona. He visited Oregon two weeks ago. He decommitted from Arizona two months ago but remains interested in the Pac-12 program.

Gonzaga fans’ hopes soared when Williams tweeted a picture of himself in a Zag uniform standing near the 2017 national finalist trophy with the caption: “Gonzaga University!! I’m going to need me one of these.”

Some jumped to the conclusion Williams had committed to Gonzaga, but he posted a picture in a Ducks uniform during his visit to Eugene.

Williams, No. 37 on ESPN.com’s Top 100, is regarded as a strong all-around point guard. The Crespi High product would be a key addition for any of the three programs.

Gonzaga, considered by many as a national championship contender next season, could use another primary ball-handler and versatile scorer to pair with rising senior point guard Josh Perkins, who had shoulder surgery last week.

The Zags have often played two point guards together throughout their 20-year run on the national stage, including Dan Dickau-Blake Stepp, Derek Raivio-Jeremy Pargo, Kevin Pangos-David Stockton and Perkins-Nigel Williams-Goss.

Oregon returns leading scorer Payton Pritchard and sophomore guard Victor Bailey Jr. Oak Hill Academy point guard Will Richardson, who is rated No. 33 by ESPN.com, is part of an incoming class ranked fourth nationally.

Arizona recently landed Samford graduate transfer point guard Justin Coleman but Williams would probably start and play heavy minutes on a team undergoing significant roster changes from last season.

Williams has a 64 percent chance of committing to Oregon, followed by Arizona’s 29 percent, according to 247sports.com.