Michigan forward Terrance Williams II declares for 2024 NBA Draft, enters NCAA transfer portal
Michigan Wolverines basketball senior forward Terrance Williams II announced Thursday afternoon that he’s declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility with the option to return to college. He also entered the NCAA transfer portal Thursday. Williams has one year of eligibility remaining after playing four at Michigan.
The deadline for players to withdraw their name from the draft and return to college is May 29 at 11:59 p.m.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder has appeared in 114 games with 58 starts over the last four seasons under head coach Juwan Howard, who was fired by the program March 15. U-M has since hired new head man Dusty May from Florida Atlantic.
“Thank you God for allowing me to be in the position that I am today,” Williams wrote in a post on social media. “To my mom, dad and sister, thank you for helping me throughout my entire journey. I would not be in the position I am in without your constant support and love through everything life has brought us.
“Coach Howard, thank you for giving me the opportunity to compete at the best university in the world. Your mentorship, guidance and unwavering support kept me lifted through the higs and lows of this journey. From one Michigan man to another, nothing but love and respect, always.
“To all my coaches and teammates that have been in the trenches with me, thank you for pushing me to be the best version of myself.
“To Michigan, thank you for it all. The love, the hate, the highs, the lows … the blessings, the lessons. Through everything I have experienced, it helped me become the man I am today. I have formed many lifelong friendships and am blessed for each one.
“I have had conversations with my family and coaches, and have done much thinking about what’s next. I will be declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility.”
Williams could either stay in the draft, return to Michigan or play college basketball elsewhere.
Starting all 31 games in which he appeared for an 8-24 Michigan team in 2023-24, Williams averaged 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 46.2 percent on twos (73-of-158), 39.7 percent on threes (52-of-131) and 76.1 percent on free throws (83-of-109).
Williams was a starter for the Wolverines in 2022-23, opening 25 of 32 contests, registering 6.1 points and 5.9 boards per outing. He struggled with his jump shot, connecting on just 25 percent of his 68 attempts.
Williams played in 31 games with one start in 2021-22, helping No. 11 seed Michigan reach the Sweet 16 thanks to two key second-half tip-ins in an upset win over second-seeded Tennessee. He averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds on the year.
A reserve as a freshman on a Big Ten championship winning club in 2020-21, Williams posted 2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game with 20 appearances.
A four-star recruit in the 2020 class, Williams was the No. 88 overall player in his class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga product was once committed to Georgetown before winding up with the Wolverines.
