Will Noah Williams Return and in What Role for UW Basketball?

This past injury-filled season proved to be a wash for the veteran guard.

As a much anticipated University of Washington basketball player, Noah Williams started the season opener against Weber State and lasted for just a half before suffering a knee injury.

He had in-season surgery and missed 12 games.

The 6-foot-5 Williams returned for 14 Husky contests, starting 10 of them, and averaged 8.7 points per outing, topped by a 22-point, 10-for-15 shooting effort against California.

However, the stress and swelling on a hastily repaired hinge put Williams into limited minutes and finally back on the sideline, inactive for the final five games.

For this player with considerable swagger, a 16-16 UW season proved to be a wash for him. He played less than half of it. He scored in double figures seven times, but could never really get on a roll.

Noah Williams had a season-high 22 points against Cal on 10-of-15 shooting :: Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

Which brings everyone to the Huskies going forward, to what equates to Mike Hopkins' last stand, which is either win at an NCAA Tournament-qualifying rate or prepare for a coaching change.

Williams, a Seattle-area product and one-time Washington State centerpiece, has a final season of eligibility remaining. The question is, will he use it in Montlake?

He may have to make some concessions should he return for the 2023-2024 season and try to help Hopkins fend off the vultures continuously circling. 

While he should be given every opportunity to start and become a focal point for the next UW team, Williams may have to assume a support role behind young, promising guards in Keyon Menifield and Koren Johnson, plus newcomer Wesley Yates from Texas.

Or, should Keion Brooks not return, and he hasn't decided his future yet, Williams could bid for that swingman role.

However, it shakes out, he won't be able to automatically assume something will be laid out for him.

With his job on the line, Hopkins won't necessarily be trying to season anyone anymore and build for the future. Nor will he feel compelled to do any upperclassmen any favors with playing time for services rendered.

The Huskies must win right away or face coaching consequences. A healthy Williams might be able to help stave things off. At the very least, he will need to enter the situation open-minded.

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