Williams gets release from Duke

Mexwayne Williams told CBSSports.com last month that his son, Elliot, planned to play his sophomore season at Duke despite multiple sources claiming that the former McDonald's All-American was on the verge of transferring closer to his Memphis home due to circumstances that could allow him to change schools without penalty.

Apparently, that plan has now changed.

Williams has been granted a release from Duke.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Elliot and his family,” said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. “We fully support him in his efforts to be closer to them during this trying time. He is a good young man with an opportunity to become an outstanding player. We wish him well as he determines his future. He will always be a part of our program and we will always be in his corner."

According to multiple sources, the "family medical reason" that led to Williams' release has to do with his mother. Those same sources said the University of Memphis is the most likely destination for the 6-foot-4 guard, although Ole Miss and Vanderbilt might also be considered "close enough to home" to allow Williams to play next season as opposed to having to sit out a year per normal NCAA transfer rules.

Williams started at Duke toward the end of his freshman season.

He chose Duke out of high school over Memphis, Tennessee and Virginia.

It's unfortunate that Elliot's mom has medical issues, and the Tiger community will certainly reach out to them regardless of his final destination. Maybe it's destiny, or maybe Elliott just realized his error in choosing Duke over Memphis to begin with. If he'd run the point for the first month of the season for Memphis last year, imagine the possibilities. Regardless, we'll welcome him HOME with open arms and also take advantage one year of Coach K's aptitude for teaching skills/techniques (though he doesn't seem to get the most out of his teams as a whole, anymore, because they play a little too soft inside IMO).

Elliot should have been and likely will still be in the blue and gray. Shades of another Elliott (Perry). Another piece to the Paz Puzzle falling in place. Go Tigers Go!

Bsquared-2 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 16, 2009	Posted on: June 24, 2009 10:34 am Score: 115 Williams gets release from Duke I feel sorry for Elliot and hope his mother makes a full recover but I'm a little excited thinking about how the pieces keep falling into place for Memphis. We need guards for next year. Williams fits the bill plus he can play point. If we get Derrick and Elliot Williams for next year you got to put us in your top 26 Gary. [ Reply to Comment ]
Gary Parrish Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: June 24, 2009 10:52 am Score: 97 Williams gets release from Duke Sure. A possible starting lineup could look like this ... G: Elliot Williams G: Roburt Sallie G: Doneal Mack F: Angel Garcia/Latavious Williams F: Will Coleman ... and with Willie Kemp, Wesley Witherspoon, Pierre Henderson-Niles, Derrick Williams, the french dude and eiher Angel Garcia or Latavious Williams as reserves, that's clearly the best roster in C-USA, and probably a Top 25 roster. Still light up front, and that's a concern. But it would be a nice roster, all things considered. [ Reply to Comment ]
qddiver Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2007	Posted on: June 24, 2009 10:56 am Score: 113 Williams gets release from Duke First and foremost our thoughts should be with the Williams family. It is always unfortunate to have a sick family member and for that member to his mother has to be devistating. As a Tiger, the Memphis community will welcome him home with open arms. It seems to be through all the turmoil of Coach Cal leaving and the NCAA investigation that some light is finally shining down on the Tigers. And you kow that it has to eat Cal up that Memphis is getting all these players. Its funny how things work out. [ Reply to Comment ]
martymar Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 9, 2008	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:05 am Score: -7 Williams gets release from Duke Pierre Henderson-Niles is hardly "Light up front".... yes, pun intended.... [ Reply to Comment ]
DrDick Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 2, 2008	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:08 am Score: 80 Williams gets release from Duke Memphis could also end up with Lance. That could be a top 5 team. Of course, Memphis will have to win 25 games in a row before Gary puts them in his top 26 - Parrish does not want to be called a "homer". [ Reply to Comment ]
martymar Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 9, 2008	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:19 am Score: 18 Williams gets release from Duke Hey Gary, I have to ask why you would put Mack & Sallie as starters? Wouldn't you have to consider Witherspoon over Mack? Or is this question/post just unnecessary? [ Reply to Comment ]
calzone12 Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 24, 2008	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:25 am Score: 94 Williams gets release from Duke But he is a homer. He can't help it. He's TIGER thru and thru He whips on us pretty darn hard and picks at us because we are easy pickings. He's local and info ( read ammo ) is readily available - even down to the smallest issue. But make no mistake about it- Him wuves him's Tigers!! AWWWW!! And we love having him around. "Cause you see-that makes him easy pickings too. When he comes after UM, he's just doing his job...even though he does it somewhat more forcefully than he needs to. Gary makes me gind and gnash my teeth sometimes - but GOOD HEAVENS - he's not nearly as bad as the local - Geoffrey ( that's right- like Chaucer- HA!! ) Calkins. And God forbid he ever will be. [ Reply to Comment ]
Gary Parrish Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:48 am Score: 88 Williams gets release from Duke Oh, you can start whomever you want. Witherspoon beside Mack (with Sallie on the bench). Witherspoon beside Sallie (with Mack on the bench). Kemp at the point, beside Elliot Wiliams and Witherspoon. I was just throwing it out there as a possibility with the larger point being that it's shaping up nicely for Josh Pastner. gp [ Reply to Comment ]
wwwhogg Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 22, 2008	Posted on: June 24, 2009 11:54 am Score: 131 Williams gets release from Duke It's unfortunate that Elliot's mom has medical issues, and the Tiger community will certainly reach out to them regardless of his final destination. Maybe it's destiny, or maybe Elliott just realized his error in choosing Duke over Memphis to begin with. If he'd run the point for the first month of the season for Memphis last year, imagine the possibilities. Regardless, we'll welcome him HOME with open arms and also take advantage one year of Coach K's aptitude for teaching skills/techniques (though he doesn't seem to get the most out of his teams as a whole, anymore, because they play a little too soft inside IMO). Elliot should have been and likely will still be in the blue and gray. Shades of another Elliott (Perry). Another piece to the Paz Puzzle falling in place. Go Tigers Go! [ Reply to Comment ]
Wimberlake Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: May 29, 2009	Posted on: June 24, 2009 12:06 pm Score: 65 Williams gets release from Duke Just curious why Tennessee wasn't listed as an option. They were originally on his list and Knoxville is only 5-6 hours from Memphis. That's half the drive to Durham North Carolina from Memphis. Unless Gary knows something we don't I'd have to think UT has a shot at landing him. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

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