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Former Missouri forward Johnathan Williams III transfers to Gonzaga

SEC Missouri South Carolina Basketball

AP Photo

AP

Gonzaga, which has two rising seniors in its front court in Przemek Karnowski and Kyle Wiltjer, picked up a major addition to its rotation Saturday evening.

Johnathan Williams, who played two seasons at Missouri before deciding to transfer, will join Mark Few’s program. Williams announced the decision via social media, and the Bulldogs beat out Georgetown and SMU for the 6-foot-9 forward’s commitment. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2015-16 season.

“Thanks for all of the schools that recruited me & after careful consideration, I chosen to further my career at Gonzaga University,” Williams posted. “I am proud to say I’m a ZAG! God take the wheel, you’re in control!”

In 2014-15 Williams was one of the lone bright spots for a Missouri team that struggled mightily, as he accounted for 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in 29.4 minutes of action per game. Recently Gonzaga’s had success with front court players who’ve had to sit out a season, be it Wiltjer following his transfer from Kentucky or Kelly Olynyk’s decision to take a redshirt year in 2011-12.

Given the fact that Wiltjer and Karnowski will be moving on after the 2015-16 season, Williams will be an important piece when he becomes eligible to play in 2016-17. Also having eligibility remaining for that season are Domantas Sabonis and 7-footer Ryan Edwards. Gonzaga also has a front court commitment in the Class of 2016 in 6-foot-10 big man Zach Collins.