Heat sign undrafted sharpshooter Matt Williams

Six-foot-five guard Matt Williams, who shot 45 percent on 3-point shots for the Miami Heat in the Vegas Summer League, signed with the Heat Monday.

Williams becomes the 15th Heat player under contract. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can carry 16th and 17th roster slots for players who sign “two-way contracts” that give them up to 45 days with their NBA team and the rest of the season in the developmental league. Williams’ contract is not two-way, but could become one if both parties agree closer to the season.

The former UCF guard probably won’t get much playing time on a team hoping to make the playoffs — Dion Waiters, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and Justise Winslow all figure to be ahead of him in the rotation. But Williams has an invaluable NBA skill — 3-point shooting. Hopefully he develops into a good shooter and plays well if injuries give him an opportunity.

From the Heat’s press release:

Williams 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.