Eric Williams drops out of draft, will return to Wake Forest

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Eric Williams dropped out of the NBA draft and will return to Wake Forest for his senior year, his mother said.

The 6-foot-9 center did not receive assurances he would be selected in the first round. Debra Williams established that as a condition for her son to remain in the draft.

Only the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons told Williams they would consider selecting him with a late first-round pick, Debra Williams said. Otherwise, he faced the prospect of entering the league without a guaranteed contract.

Williams did not sign with an agent, allowing him to remain eligible to play in college. He has until June 21 to withdraw from the June 28 draft.

Williams had 16 points and eight rebounds in a game at an NBA camp in Chicago last week. He led the Demon Deacons in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (7.7) his junior season and earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.