Heat switch to two-way contract for Matt Williams Jr.

The Miami Heat have converted the contract of shooting guard Matt Williams Jr. into a two-way contract, allowing greater control over his rights this season.

Williams is now one of two players on the Heat’s roster alongside Derrick Walton Jr. with one of the NBA’s new two-way contracts, which allows the Heat to retain his rights while he plays for their G-League affiliate team, Sioux Falls Skyforce, and the flexibility of being with the Heat for up to 45 days during the season.

He originally signed with the Heat on July 24 and appeared in all six preseason games, averaging 2.2 points in 6.4 minutes of game action.

Miami waived DeAndre Liggins, Erik McCree and Tony Mitchell on Saturday to complete their roster for the regular season. Two-way contracts don’t count against the 15-player regular season limit.

The Heat’s press release has more on Williams Jr.’s playing career:

Williams Jr. previously appeared in eight Summer League games (six starts) with the HEAT in Orlando and Las Vegas and averaged 9.9 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 38 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line. He started all six games in Las Vegas with Miami and shot 45 percent from three-point range, leading the team in three-point field goals made four times, including a 5-of-8 performance from beyond the arc vs. Washington on July 10 and a 6-of-9 output from downtown vs. Memphis on July 15.

The University of Central Florida graduate finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (274) and became the 18th player in program history to score at least 1,000 points. He appeared in 36 games (all starts) as a senior and averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 36.5 minutes while shooting 39.1 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the foul line. He set the single-season school and conference records for three-point field goals made (126) and set the Knights’ single-game three-point field goals made record after connecting on 11 against USF on January 17. He capped the season scoring the fifth-most points for a single-season in school history and earned the team’s MVP award.