Arizona’s Williams Declares for NBA Draft

Arizona sophomore forward Derrick Williams intends to sign with an agent and enter the NBA Draft.

DraftExpress.com projects the 6-foot-8, 241-pound Williams as the No. 2 overall pick, behind Duke point guard Kyrie Irving of West Orange, N.J.

The NBA Draft is set for June 23 in Newark.

Williams averaged a team-best 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. He scored in double figures 37 times, posted 13 double-doubles and posted the two highest single-game rebounding totals in the Pac-10 this season (19 at Washington State on Jan. 22 and 18 at California on Feb. 5).

“After careful consideration and with the support of my family and Coach [Sean] Miller, I have decided to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft,” said Williams. “I have enjoyed my two years at Arizona both on and off the court. I want to thank my teammates, who are like brothers to me, my coaches and all Wildcat Fans for making my experience an unforgettable one.”

The 2011 Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year, Williams’ 741 points scored was the third-highest single-season total in school history, while his 247 free throws and 331 attempts were new single-season school records.

Williams intends to complete his coursework this semester in Tucson. “I will finish this semester at the U of A in good academic standing and plan on continuing to pursue my college degree in the future,” he said. “I am a Wildcat for life.”