Freshman guard to leave IU at semester’s end

As the IU men’s basketball team prepares to welcome a top-10 recruiting class next year, freshman guard Nick Williams announced his decision to transfer Wednesday, saying he wasn’t sure how he would fit in to a dynamic 2009-10 lineup.

Williams is the second player from last year’s recruiting class to transfer this spring. His roommate, Malik Story, decided to transfer less than three weeks ago in order to be close to his hometown of Los Angeles.

IU coach Tom Crean said Williams was not satisfied with his position within the team and said so to the IU coaching staff.

“After the season, Nick expressed displeasure with his role this year and also shared concern with members of our coaching staff about his future role in the program,” Crean said, according to a press release. “He is a fine young man, and we have enjoyed our relationship with him over time. He played hard and did some very good things for us, and we wish him the best.”

The 6-foot-4 guard started 29 of 31 games for the Hoosiers last season, posting 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 26.5 minutes on average.

“It was a difficult decision, but one I felt I needed to make as I looked at the future,” Williams said in a press release. “I want to thank everyone at IU for their support this season. I’m going to finish up the semester and then begin the process of finding a program where I can come in and have an impact for them.”

IU now has one scholarship left, and could pick up another player for the 2009-10 season if it chooses to do so.

The national signing period for men’s basketball started Wednesday and ends May 20.

Crean said IU will not end its search for more players to fill Hoosier uniforms.

“We will continue to recruit and work with the young men who have embraced the challenge of competition that is in front of them as we rebuild this great program,” Crean said.