Marquette Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

CLASS OF 2010 INTRO: DERRICK WILLIAMS

St. Anthony’s forward looked good at Spring Fling, has Big East looks

Playing for coach Bob Hurley at famed St. Anthony’s and running with the New Heights AAU program this spring and summer will certainly bring a lot of exposure to class of 2010 forward/center Derrick Williams. Just to play for those highly talented squads is something that needs to be earned as nothing is given to you on reputation. This past weekend at the Playaz Spring Fling, Williams showed he is definitely earning the looks from major colleges he has been receiving.

Williams previously attended Life Center Academy in Burlington (NJ) where he averaged approximately 21 points and 15 rebounds a game in the 2007-2008 season. Even though a transfer would lead to him being ineligible for the first 30 days of the season, the New York City native had little doubts of the benefits of playing for coach Bob Hurley, a ‘should-be’ Hall of Famer.

“I choose St. Anthony’s because of the tradition and the history that the school has and one day I want to be a part of that historic tradition,” Williams told NBE last week. “So far the school is great [and] you feel the winning inspiration just walking in the halls.”

At St. Anthony’s and with the New Heights AAU program, Williams teams with another pair of transplanted New Yorkers in the frontcourt in the form of Ashton Pankey and Devon Collier. On Friday night at the Playaz Spring FLing, NBE saw Williams being very active in their opening game and the 6-foot-6 forward was a presence on both ends of the floor.

His strong play continued on Saturday as the big-bodied forward impressed NBE contributer Brian Crownover who wrote this review at Recruit Recon’s Spring Fling Review:

Had a nice game. He’s most effective using that size around the rim. Derrick had a nice spin move and bank finish. He converted on a putback and a dunk too. He has good hands and is pretty mobile despite his size. Because of those attributes, he’s a good rebounder on both ends of the court.

“I have strength in my post moves, jumpshot and also my ball-handling,” Williams told NBE.

These traits have had college coaches taking a look, and they will continue to do so on the recruiting trail this spring and summer. Williams rattled off an impressive array of schools that included Virginia, Providence, Miami, Seton Hall, Fordham, Temple, West Virginia and Marquette.

“So far I’ve been to Seton Hall and Fordham,” Williams said of college visits. “In the future I hope to visit Miami, UVA and also West Virginia.”

While a decision does not seem to be around the corner at this point, Williams will look at the education the schools recruiting him will provide, as well as the coaching staff and the “unity of the team.”

For now, you can expect to see a lot of Williams this spring and summer running with the New Heights program as well as various summer events with St. Anthony’s. NBE will definitely look to keep up to date on any news with his recruitment.

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