Arizona interested in William & Mary grad transfer Justin Pierce, per report

The Arizona Wildcats are planning to add at least one or two players this spring to round out their 2019-20 roster, so they are expected to scour the transfer market extensively.

One name Arizona has already been connected to is William & Mary grad transfer Justin Pierce, a two-time all-Colonial Athletic Association wing.

Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium is reporting Arizona is one of several schools that have contacted Pierce since Friday when he announced his decision to become a graduate transfer.

Pierce’s announcement came two days after William & Mary announced longtime head coach Tony Shaver would not be returning to the program.

Since I tweeted this out two hours ago, Justin Pierce has heard from AZ, ND, Ohio St., NW, Illinois, BC, Stanford, USC, Michigan, Wisconsin., Butler, Gonzaga, Ga Tech, DePaul, Nevada and Ole Miss.

Safe to say he’ll be a highly sought-after grad transfer. https://t.co/HoqaYWmGGU

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 16, 2019

A 6-foot-7 wing, Pierce averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Tribe this season. The Glen Ellyn, Illinois native mostly played the 4, but also saw some time at the 5, per KenPom.

Pierce, eligible to play immediately at his new school, posted seven 20-point games, including 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in William & Mary’s season-finale against Delaware.

Pierce also averaged 1.1 steals per game, though William & Mary’s defense was one of the worst in the country. The Tribe went 14-17, including a 10-8 conference record.

Pierce struggled as a shooter, sinking only 32 percent of his 3-point attempts and 59 percent of his free throws this season. However, he shot 42 and 79 percent from those ranges in 2017-18, respectively, so he might be a better shooter than his junior numbers indicate.

Plus, his rebounding numbers are terrific for someone his size, ranking 71st in the country in defensive rebounding percentage.

Here are Pierce’s sophomore/2017-18 highlights:

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