Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Terrell Williams
We are in the midst of the late signing period and Terrell Williams of Mansfield High School/3D Sports has yet to make his college decision. The athletic forward currently holds offers from Clark-Atlanta, Colorado-Colorado Springs, Southern University, and UT-Permian Basin. Schools such as Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Tarleton State, UMass-Lowell, and VMI have shown interest in the 6-foot-5 wing.
“I have been working on the tightness of my handles, proper conditioning, along with muscle gain,” Williams says. “Also I have been trying to increase my overall knowledge of the game to have a higher basketball I.Q.”
IN TERRELL’S WORDS
Colorado-Colorado Springs: I liked the campus and the mountains you can see at any time. The players were pretty chill and reserved kind of like me. They take pride in their academics and cater to players getting their degree over all else. They like my ability to shoot the three ball as a wing. I will be able to spread the floor within the offense. They also like my length and willingness to rebound on the defensive end as well. The way they play is up and down and fast pace which is perfect for my athletic ability to shine as well.
Southern: The coaching staff has been very straightforward and to the point as to why they offered me. They like my toughness and will to keep playing no matter what the score is. They admire my smooth stroke from behind the arc. The staff recruits high character coachable guys that will work their butt offs not only on the court but also in the classroom. And I love Historical Black Colleges and/or Universities (HBCU). My father went to one and I think everyone can agree that they are more comfortable around people like them, so the transition will not be as hard. Plus Southern is in my “home” state despite being raised in Texas, so there is that too.
UT-Permian Basin: I liked that the school and the basketball program as well are striving to make upgrades to the campus and facilities. The coaches liked my ability to do multiple things on the court from scoring, defending, rebounding, passing, etc. Their pitch to get me to sign was that they basically had almost no returners. This means that I would have a chance to come in and instantly compete for not only minutes but starting minutes as well. This is great as a freshman because who doesn’t like to play.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Williams plans on making a decision by May 12. When explaining his criteria on picking a school, Williams states, “It will be based upon a school prioritizing education just as much as they prioritize basketball. I want to be pushed in basketball to the point where if I wanted to make a career out of it, I can. But my first job is to get an engineering degree as well as helping the program as much as possible to leave a legacy at the school if possible.”
With the desire to play the best competition possible and earn an engineering degree, Southern looks like the favorite here. However, do not be surprised if other interested Division I schools come into the mix at the last minute.