The Latest on BYU’s Pursuit of ETSU Transfer Daivien Williamson

After Georgetown transfer Mac McClung picked Texas Tech earlier in the week, BYU’s new #1 transfer target is East Tennessee State point guard Daivien Williamson. Williamson included BYU in his top 5 along with Wake Forest, San Diego State, Georgetown, and Tulsa. He is getting close to making a decision and announced on his Twitter that he will announce his commitment “this weekend.”

BYU coaches really want Williamson and having been making a strong push. More recently, former BYU players also have recruited the 6-foot-2 guard on social media. Former Cougs Kyle Collinsworth, Travis Hansen, Yoeli Childs, Anson Winder and Elijah Bryant have all made their pitch to Williamson.

Where BYU Stands

Despite the strong push, BYU is likely behind Wake Forest. Wake Forest has two things working in their favor: 1) New Head Coach Steve Forbes and most of his staff coached Williamson at ETSU and 2) Williamson is from and currently living in Winston Salem, North Carolina, home of Wake Forest’s campus.

BYU does have a lot to offer Williamson. Assuming he redshirts next season, he will have two years of eligibility remaining after. Alex Barcello will be graduated at that point, so Williamson would have the opportunity to be BYU’s starting point guard for two years. Williamson has proven effective at the college level and is coming off a sophomore season averaging 10.4 ppg and 2.6 apg on 48.4% shooting. He is an efficient shooter from all levels of the floor, shooting over 80% from the foul line and 37% from three. ETSU finished the season 30-4 and ranked #56 in KenPom.

Williamson gave Adam Zagoria quick thoughts on each of the five programs he is considering and said the following about BYU:

Coach [Mark] Pope is really building something special at BYU and it would be cool to be a part of that.

I expect Williamson to pick Wake Forest, but don’t count out BYU as they have a compelling recruiting pitch and have been getting strong support from program alumni. I believe BYU is in the top three right now along with Wake and San Diego State, but I’m not sure they can overtake the Demon Deacons.