Recruiting Report: Ziaire Williams (2020)
Ziaire Williams entered his freshman season at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame high school with a good amount of buzz.
His lanky 6-foot-5 frame and ability to operate on the perimeter with ball skills and shooting touch made it apparent that he was capable of competing at the varsity level as a freshman.
Williams did just that, averaging 13.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game while playing in one of the toughest leagues Southern California basketball has to offer in the Mission League.
The rising sophomore said that he learned a good deal about the game during his first high school season.
“I’ve gotten stronger and my basketball IQ has gotten higher,” Williams told Prep Hoops So-Cal. “The biggest thing is that I matured as the season went on.”
Ziaire Williams averaged better than 13 points and six rebounds during his freshman season at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.Williams also noted that he discovered how to use his natural physical gifts to his favor.
“What I learned the most is to use my length as an advantage,” he said. “I play a lot stronger guys on varsity, so my length was helpful.”
All of the high level experience Williams got during the high school season translated well to the club scene as he had a successful summer with BTI’s 16U level squad.
“It prepared me a lot for the spring and summer,” Williams said. “It helps you defend good players, score and use your moves correctly, and I’ve also learned how to keep my composure. A year ago I would get frustrated, but now I just play through it.”
The now 6-foot-6, going on 6-feet-7, wing is focused on hitting the weights and rounding out his guard skills for the remainder of the summer and fall to be ready come high school season.
“I’m still trying to get stronger and build up some muscle,” Williams said. “I need to work on my dribbling a little bit and using it to get by people.”
Williams impressive combination of size and length on the perimeter for such a young prospect has translated into plenty of early college interest, including three offers.
“I have offers from Pepperdine, LMU and Boise State,” he said. “I have interest from USC, UCLA, Stanford, Wisconsin and Virginia.”
Williams isn’t letting the hype get to his head, though, because he knows he still has a lot to prove.
“I don’t let it get to my head because I know I still have a lot more to do,” Williams said. “I haven’t done anything yet.”