Williams, who played last season at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, was in the city this past weekend and took in a Milwaukee Brewers game, toured campus, played some pickup games with some of the Panthers' players and then made his commitment to head coach Rob Jeter.

"They've got a good academic school and a great team," said Williams by phone Monday from his home in Iowa. "They've got all the pieces to be a contender in the tourney and have a great coaching staff."

The Panthers are expected to sign one other recruit as freshman forward Riley Walker and junior forward Michael Tyler have left the program.

The official signing period begins on Wednesday.

Williams, who attended Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Kennedy High School, and Evansville University as a freshman, has the reputation of being a physical, pass-first point guard.

With sharp-shooting guard Tone Boyle expected to return from a back injury, and forward Anthony Hill developing into one of the top low-post scoring threats in the league, the Panthers will need someone to deliver them the ball.

Williams could also benefit from last season's freshman trio of Ja'Rob McCallum, Patrick Souter and Lonnie Boga, who all dabbled at point guard last season but are generally more effective playing off the ball.

Williams was asked what he thought he could bring to the table.

"Just a competitive point guard that leads the team," said Williams. "My biggest attribute, I'd say, is getting guys in scoring position."

Williams averaged 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals last season for Kirkwood, which finished third in the Division II national junior college tournament.

In 2008-'09 at Evansville, he started in 27 of 31 games, averaging 6.3 points, 4.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, and led the Missouri Valley Conference in assists. He was selected to the MVC all-freshman team.

He transferred to Kirkwood to return to Iowa.

"I had some things I needed to take care of at home and wanted to get closer to home," said Williams. "I went to a junior college in my home town and got everything figured out and I was ready to go out and play Division I."