Williams to join UT hoops staff

KNOXVILLE-Cuonzo Martin has added another familiar face to his new staff at Tennessee.

The Volunteers' new leader is bringing Kent Williams, a three-year member of Martin's staff at Missouri State, to Knoxville as his second full-time assistant, UT associate media relations director Tom Satkowiak confirmed on Sunday.

Williams joined Jon Harris, who Martin hired last week. Neither will know their official titles until the staff is finalized.

Playing for current Illinois coach Bruce Weber, the 29-year-old Williams starred at Southern Illinois, finishing his career in 2003 as the Salukis' all-time second leading scorer with a pair of first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selections.

After leading the NBA Development League in 3-pointers made and 3-point shooting percentage in his one professional season, Williams began his coaching career as Purdue's supervisor of basketball operations under Matt Painter, who was an assistant under Weber when Williams played at SIU. Martin was also on that staff at Purdue and took Williams with him to Missouri State when he was hired in 2008.

The Bears tabbed Purdue assistant Paul Lusk as their new head coach late last week.

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