Jonathan Williams cleared to play for the Gophers

Jonathan Williams, a six-foot-9 center from Fitchburg (MA) Notre Dame Academy, has been cleared and will play for Minnesota this upcoming season. Willams was playing a bit of a wating game with the NCAA, which prevented him from attending summer school. Williams attended St. Cloud (Minn.) Apollo and signed with St. Johns in the 2002 early signing period. However, he de-commited to the Red Storm and went the prep school route to work on his academics.

Jonathan Williams averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game this season. He was out of shape during part of the season, but has been working hard on his conditioning. Williams saw his stock rise with a strong 2002 summer playing for the Howard Pulley Panthers AAU team.

Williams is an outstanding shotblocker and leaper who is just developing an offensive game. He is relatively new to the game and has a bright upside. Williams previously attended high schools in Georgia and Florida and needed some work on his academics, which scared off some schools. He is the sixth newcomer to the Gopher program and will provide some needed frontcourt size.