Blazers sign Williams

Press release:

PORTLAND – The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard Elliot Williams. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re very excited to have a player with the character and potential that Elliot has,” said Director of College Scouting Chad Buchanan. “He’s made some pretty big strides in college and now we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do at the next level.”

Portland selected Williams with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Williams, 21, posted averages of 17.9 points (45.9% FG, 36.6% 3-PT, 75.8% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.32 steals in 34 games (all starts) as a sophomore at Memphis in 2009-10, earning All-Conference USA First Team and Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors.

The 6-5, 180-pound guard played his freshman year at Duke in 2008-09, where he averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 34 games before transferring to Memphis.

Williams will practice with the team’s NBA Summer League squad but will be held out of game action as a precautionary measure due to injury.