No news is bad news. Alabama coaches spent the week hoping Mo Williams would announce he was returning to Alabama for his junior season, but as the Thursday deadline for withdrawing from the draft approached, the silence proved deafening.

Williams finally informed head coach Mark Gottfried of his decision to remain in the June 26 draft late Thursday afternoon. Gottfried, who had talked with Williams on numerous occasions about his draft status, refused to comment on Williams' decision.

The Crimson Tide point guard became the fourth player in as many years to leave the team early for the National Basketball Association draft.

Williams' father Ike had spoken in the past about his son's status as a shooting guard in 2003 during games in which Williams and Antoine Pettway both played. While Gottfried continued to insist both players were used as point guards, a rift apparently developed between the Williams family and the Crimson Tide coaching staff.