Latavious Williams headed to ... China?

That's what Rivals is reporting.

The jewel of the 2009 Memphis recruiting class, and Josh Pastner's first signee as the head coach of the Tigers, is opting to head overseas. Williams, a top 20 recruit nationally, was quoted as saying that it is a "done deal" and that he is "trying to work something out in China".

Memphis commit Latavious Williams seems to be headed to China.
(photo credit: College Basketball 365)

This is a devastating loss for the Tigers. With all they lost to graduation last year and Shawn Taggart's decision to skip his final year of eligibility, the Tigers will now head into the season with some serious question marks across their front line - can Pierre Henderson-Niles stay in shape? How good is JuCo transfer Will Coleman? Can the unproved Angel Garcia contribute?

Williams, an athletic 6'7" combo forward with a similar skill set to Robert Dozier, would have provided some versatility to the Tiger's frontline as he is mobile enough to play some on the perimeter.

Tigers fans better hope Elliot Williams, a two-guard who transferred from Duke, is granted eligibility this season. Without him, this is what the Memphis starting five looks like:

• F - Pierre Henderson-Niles
• F - Will Coleman/Angel Garcia
• F - Wesley Witherspoon
• G - Roburt Sallie/Doneal Mack
• G - Willie Kemp
  

Does that look like a top 25 team to you?

UPDATE: Gary Parrish is reporting that it was unlikely that Latavious Williams' transcript would have been cleared by the NCAA.