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Frankly speaking Illini's Williams says he'll be back next year
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Big Ten Player of the Year Frank Williams says he will be back at Illinois for his junior season rather than jumping to the NBA. If so, Illinois will return seven of the nine core players from a 27-8 team that fell six points short of reaching the Final Four. "We've said all along it depends on what happens with the present personnel," first-year coach Bill Self said Monday, less than 24 hours after Arizona beat Illinois 87-81 in the Midwest Regional final in San Antonio. "If all the pieces remain in place, this team could be better next year." Self emphasized the "if" in that sentence. Williams was not available Monday to back off his heat-of-the-moment pledge Sunday night not to go pro early. Self did it for him, saying the sophomore made the promise in a postgame funk without the kind of research and reflection crucial to such a decision. "I think when Frank says he is definitely coming back, I think in his mind he really believes that," Self said. "I also understand this: He has not, because of the emphasis he has put on this team, investigated this." The coach said he planned to talk to Williams this week, then assist him doing the kind of research necessary to determine where the point guard might be selected if he declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. If Williams is going to be a late first-rounder, and if NBA scouts say Williams could dramatically improve his stock by staying at Illinois for another season, Self said he should know that. If NBA people tell Self that Williams has a shot to be among the first handful of players chosen, he deserves to know that too, the coach said. "If he's got a chance to live out his dream and provide for his family for the rest of his life, nobody can fault him for that," Self said. That said, Self very badly wants Williams wearing orange and running his offense again next season. After struggling as a freshman starter, Williams was spectacular as a sophomore, leading the Illini with 14.9 points and 4.4 assists per game. If Williams comes back, he rejoins guard Cory Bradford for what could be the Big Ten's top backcourt next season. Forward Brian Cook returns with three veteran reserves -- Robert Archibald, Lucas Johnson and Damir Krupalija -- competing against new arrivals for two open starting spots on the front line. Self said coaches will meet with the players Tuesday but will not get overly specific about next season's business -- yet. Self has to hire another assistant to replace Rob Judson, a carryover from Lon Kruger's staff, who is leaving to become the coach at Northern Illinois. He also wants to devote as much time as possible to helping departing senior starters Sergio McClain and Marcus Griffin as they prepare for possible pro careers. And he wants the Illini to appreciate what they did this season. "We're disappointed now obviously," Self said, "but we'll look back at this season as a success a few weeks from now."
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