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Gonzaga Basketball

Ex-Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams signs with Lakers

Los Angeles forward Johnathan Williams (arms raised) defends Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox during a summer league game in Sacramento earlier this month. (RICH PEDRONCELLI / AP)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Former Gonzaga Bulldog Johnathan Williams’ pursuit of a spot in the NBA took another step forward.

The 6-foot-9 forward apparently made a good impression on the Los Angeles Lakers in summer league. The NBA club announced Saturday it has signed Williams. No terms were released.

Williams is expected to be one of 20 players – 15 are believed to have guaranteed contracts – at the Lakers’ training camp in September.

Williams signed a partial-guarantee contract to join the Lakers for summer league. He averaged 24.6 minutes, 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds and blocked a team-leading five shots in seven contests in Las Vegas.

Williams made 34 percent from the field, 25 percent beyond the 3-point arc and 75 percent at the free-throw line. The Lakers lost to Portland in the summer league championship game.