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Seton Hall basketball adds center Devin Williams of Florida Atlantic
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- Seton Hall basketball adds center Devin Williams of Florida Atlantic
Seton Hall basketball finally has secured the most elusive piece for its 2026-27 roster – a rim-protecting postman.
Devin Williams, a 6-foot-10 center transfer from Florida Atlantic, committed Sunday after visiting South Orange Friday.
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Here are three things to know about him.
1. He's a shot-blocker.
Memphis' Aaron Bradshaw (11) looks to pass the ball as Florida Atlantic's Devin Williams (1) guards him during the game between the University of Memphis and FAU at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on January 29, 2026.
As a junior at Florida Atlantic, Williams averaged 2.6 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game to go along with 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds (including 2.2 offensive boards). He shot 51 percent from the field and 67.4 percent from the free-throw line. His 85 blocks set FAU's program record for a sophomore.
Williams ranked fifth in the country in blocks per game. Departed Hall freshman Najai Hines ranked 15th at 2.3 blocks per game, albeit in fewer minutes (18) and against better competition. Still, it's harder to acquire rim protectors through the transfer portal than any other position, so this is a big breakthrough for the roster.
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Williams' acumen was on display at NCAA Tournament-bound South Florida Feb. 15, when he posted 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added seven rebounds (four offensive), five blocks and two steals in a two-point loss. He opened the season with 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks a win at Boston College and chalked up 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with three assists, two rebounds and a block in a loss at a good Saint Mary's squad.
The Owls finished 18-15 overall and 9-9 in the American Athletic Conference. Since entering the transfer portal, Williams had been drawing interest from high-majors across the country, including North Carolina and Arizona.
2. He started his college career at UCLA
A four-star, top-100 prospect coming out of high school in California, Williams played at UCLA as a freshman but made cameos in just 10 games before taking a redshirt there as a sophomore in 2024-25 to improve his strength and gain bulk. He still was listed at just 205 pounds by Florida Atlantic.
Jan 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Devin Williams (22) warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
3. He's a mobile big who fits the Hall's system
Shaheen Holloway wants his centers to be able to run the floor, function in full-court press, and hard-hedge and recover quickly in half-court defense. He values rim protection and offensive rebounding. He does not want his postmen stepping out of the paint to shoot.
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Williams checks those boxes for the most part. He did take 49 3-pointers at FAU this past season, making 15 (.306). But he was tasked first foremost as a rim-protecting center -- he was the Owls' starting five in every game -- and that's what you can expect from him in South Orange.
Given that Holloway has platooned two centers in the past, look for the Pirates to add one more center of a similar profile before this cycle is out.
Seton Hall's projected 2026-27 depth chart
Guards (6): Del Jones, Trey Parker, Simeon Wilcher, Kareem Thomas, Roddie Anderson, Darien 'Payday' Moore.
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Wings (1): Rodney Brown.
Bigs (3): Devin Williams, Nathan Mariano, Chris Nwuli.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com .
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com .
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall basketball adds Devin Williams, Florida Atlantic center
