As I reported last Wednesday that Brian Williams was expected to sign with Coach Travis Ford and Oklahoma State, Williams did just that in a 1:00 p.m. ceremony at Glen Oaks High School. The 6'5" 205 lb. senior from Baton Rouge signed his Letter of Intent to the Cowboys in the GOHS library among family, friends, teammates and his HS coach, the Legendary Harvey Adger. Adger who has coached McDonald's All-American Lester Earl and many other D1 signees, added another on Wednesday in Williams, last year's Class 4A Louisiana POY and the Baton Rouge Metro Area MVP as well. Williams averaged 25.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.1 blocked shots and 3.5 assists for the Glen Oaks Panthers last season who finished with a 32-3 record and lost in the 4A semi-finals. Not only are these accomplishments outstanding for any player, but Williams just made 17 in September and will not make 18 until a few weeks into his freshman year at Oklahoma State. That makes his accomplishments more respectable.
Williams, a consensus top 130 player by ESPNU, ScoutHoops.com and Rivals, is a 6-5 205 lb. guard that is super-athletic and quick. Williams averaged 25.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.1 blocked shots and 3.5 assists per game as a junior last season, pacing Glen Oaks to a No. 1 ranking in Class 4A before falling in the semi-finals. Williams led Glen Oaks to a Top 28 finished in 2008-09. He was named Class 4A’s Outstanding Player by the Louisiana Sports Writers, and one of two juniors named first-team All-State for Class 4A(the other was Markel Brown another Oklahoma State signee). He was also named the District 6-4A Most Valuable Player. Coach Travis Ford had this to say on Brian:“Brian’s game is a lot like Obi's,(OSU senior Obi Muonelo)” Ford said. “He's 6-4 to 6-5 and much more athletic. He can jump over the rim. He averaged 30 points a game last year in high school. He can step out and shoot it, he's very athletic and has a great in-between game.”
Williams was also recruited by LSU, Oregon State and Baylor, Minnesota, Memphis, Texas A&M and others.
ONE ON ONE WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS:
Here is a one on one with Brian on his signing to OSU and how he see's himself contributing early along with his expectations on his upcoming high school season.
1. How excited are you on signing with Oklahoma State?
I am very excited about the Oklahoma St. signing, it was on my mind all week.
2. In your opinion, what makes Oklahoma State the right place for you?
Oklahoma St. is the right place for me because I love their style of basketball, and I feel that I can be very successful in a system like Oklahoma State.
3. What set Okie State apart from the rest of the school's recruiting you?
Oklahoma State stood out to me more than any other school because they treat me like family, and the style of ball they play is perfect for me.
4. What school's did you have legitamite offers from?
Baylor, UNO, Tulane, Oregon St., LSU, Southeastern, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, UL-Lafayette, North Texas and Harvard.
5. What do you think of Coach Travis Ford and the OSU family?
I love all the coaches and the staff at Oklahoma St....they are all cool people and care about the players, and winning ball games.
6. What has being at a program like Glen Oaks done for you and your recruiting if anything?
Being at Glen Oaks made me a lot tougher on the court than I was when I was younger. I took that to AAU and travel ball and my recruiting mostly came from the summers. I did get alot of press from the Glen Oaks vs. Strake Jesuit Game from espn last year.
7. What has it been like playing for a GREAT coach in the legendary Harvey Adger?
Its been a roller coaster playing for Coach Adger because you never know what you are going to get from him (practice, workouts, speeches, etc)....He is a good coach and i wish him the best when im in Oklahoma. I will miss my time playing for him
8. Who do you want to thank for supporting you throughout your career at GOHS?
First I want to thank my family, My mom and my dad for the support they give me at every game, and scrimmage. They are the best. I love you guys.
I also want to thank Coach Adger, Coach Jones, and Coach Crump for everything at Glen Oaks, Also the Glen Oaks fan base, they are the best, especially the front row crew, I am going to miss the "Oak-Town.......You KNOW" chants. They are great.
9. What are your expectations now that you have signed, how do you plan on helping OSU win and how do you see yourself contributing as a freshman?
Now that I signed I expect to win state, and possibly snatch the MVP award again. I plan on helping OSU win by knocking down shots, playing solid defense, and getting better every game. As a freshman, I am shooting for significant playing time throughout the season, and I want to eventually work my way into the lineup.
10. What will you miss most about being in HS and the recruiting scene?
I will miss how easy everything is in high school, from basketball to school, because I know in a few months my life is about to be a lot of hard work. Its all for the better of my game so I will just make the most of it. I will miss all the letters and mail from random colleges and from the big times. I will also miss all the scouts and attention from different coaches. I'm about moving foward so I'm ready for OSU...GEAUX COWBOYS!!!!
Quotes on Brian Williams' Game:
Brian Williams is athletic and versatile enough to play guard or out on the wing. He played the two, three and four spot as a sophomore and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. - Dave Telep, ScoutHoops.com
Brian is a solid outside shooter who can get up and throw it down. Showed this summer that he can handle playing a wing and has the ability to jump over a defender and knock down the 3. Also has nice weakside shot blocking ability.- Mike Kuhn, CenterCourt Basketball's The Roux
In my opinion Oklahoma State is getting a highly talented players. I have seen players that are ranked in the top 50 such as Joe Jackson, Adonis Thomas, Chris Crawford, Casey Prather, Travis McKie, and many others and Williams is just as talented as any of these players. Brian can shoot the 3, handle the ball off the dribble, attack the rim and finish with the best of them. He has as a quick a first step as there is. He has a solid mid-range game that continues to get better. He is also an underrated defender. Coming from a system that thrives on defense at Glen Oaks HS, Williams is a very good defender. Williams also just made 17 and has his best basketball ahead of him. He will do very well in the OSU system under Travis and can end up being a all-conference player in the Big-12.-Bobby Sibley, Louisiana Basketball Report
High School: Glen Oaks High School
High School Coach: Harvey Adger
Height: 6'5" Weight: 205 lbs.
Position: Guard
Notes/Awards:
-2009 Louisiana All-State 4A MVP, 2009
-Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Player of the Year, 2009 4A
-Louisiana 1st Team All-State, 2009 LHSBCA All-State MVP, 2009 6-4A
-District MVP, 2009 1st Team All District 6-4A, MVP 2008 East Baton Rouge
-Team MVP 07-08, Best Offensive Player 07-08, 1st Team 6-4A -All District 07-08, 2nd Year Letterman Award 07-08. 2007
-All Tournament Team -Inner City Classic, 2007 All Tournament Team - Woodlawn Shootout. 1st Year Letterman Award 06-07, Most Improved Player 06-07.
-East Baton Roug Parish All Tournament – All Tournament Team & MVP 2008
-J.L. Haynes Tournament, Ranked #23 SF by ESPN, 2008 Oakerland Classic - All
-2008 Woodlawn Shootout - All tournament Team, 2008 Inner City Classic -
* Honors/Awards (Academic): 3.4 GPA Academic Award 07-08, Young Leaders
07-08, Beta Club, Class Rank 11/250, 3.4 GPA Academic Award 06-07 * Camp Honors: John Lucas SWIC (Top Performer),
Southern California Elite Camp at USC (Top Performer)
University of Texas at Arlington Top Performer
Harold Boudreaux (LSU) Elite Camp Top Performer,
I10 Elite Camp, Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana's top 75 camp
ONE ON ONE WITH MICHAEL WILLIAMS, Brian's father:
1. How excited are you on Brian's signing with Oklahoma State?
As a family we feel very blessed and we are so excited for Brian. We are so grateful to the "Cowboy" family for giving Brian this opportunity. It is a result of his hard work, dedication and sacrifice. He will realize one of his goals which is to play at the College level.
2. In your opinion, is Oklahoma State the right place for Brian and what makes it the right place?
Oklahoma State is a great "fit" for Brian. The uptempo offense and the pressing defense is a perfect compliment to Brian's style of play. Oklahoma State's system does quite a bit of isolation on the offensive side of the ball which allows players to highlight their skills. I see Brian developing into a go to player as a result. If you have seen "B" play you know that one of his strengths is taking defenders off of the dribble. Coach Ford is a great Coach and given Butch Pierre's track record of developing players(Glen Davis, Tyrus Thomas, Stromile Swift, Brandon Bass) I think this is a great opportunity for Brian. On the academic side OSU has a very good graduation rate. They have all of the tools to help make you a successful student/athlete.
3. What set Oklahoma State apart from the rest of the school's recruiting Brian?
Definitely the facilities, Coach Ford , his staff and the players . They welcomed us and made us feel like "family". Brian knew that this would be his choice on our unofficial visit. The facilities are top notch. The campus was just beautiful and the people made us feel at home. Even when Brian and I went into the city of Stillwater the people were so friendly.
4. What school's did he have legitamite offers from?
Baylor, Oregon State, UNO, Tulane, SLU, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, UL-Lafayette, North Texas, LSU and Harvard. Ready to make an offer but waited too late: Alabama, Texas A&M, Memphis and VCU.
5. What do you think of Coach Travis Ford and the OSU family?
We love Coach Ford. He is such a genuine guy. He is also a family man. When you talk to him it doesn't take long for you to see his passion for the game and the love that he has for his players. Also, Butch Pierre is just the best. He is all about the players. He will be like having an extension from home. Coach (Steve) Middleton and Coach (Chris) Ferguson are also very good people. It is a great mix. All of the remaining staff are very accommodating to the players. I watched them drop what they were doing during their busy schedules to help the players with school work assignments, etc. They are all about the development and success of their players on and off the court. That got my attention immediately. During our home visit Coach Ford came with Coach Pierre. My wife was taken at how sincere they both were about Brian's College development. It wasn't a Sales pitch. We really appreciated that.
6. What has being at a program like Glen Oaks done for Brian and his recruiting if anything?
It has definitely helped Brian's recruiting. Coach Adger instills toughness, confidence, focus and a work ethic in all of his players. As a result of being in a program like a Glen Oaks when Brian played AAU/Travel in the summers he was able to highlight his skills against the nations top players. That success reflects back on his School, his Coach and his Basketball program. I also want to thank Coach Max Ivany of the Texas D-1 Ambassadors with who I played a few travel tournaments with this summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment