College Commitment: Aiden Williams (2019 Jesuit HS)
It’s been some kind of year for Aiden Williams. The sharp-shooting 6-foot, 165-pound guard had a great senior season that culminated in a state championship for Jesuit and all sorts of opportunities for next season opened up. After considering all of his options and taking one final campus visit, Williams decided on a school – and it’s one where he felt would fit him best all-around.
“I’m going to Redlands next year to play for Tim Bross and Jim Ducey,” Williams said. “Ultimately I decided Redlands was too good to pass up and I get along with the coaching staff really well. They have some returning guys from last year and they said I would be a big piece towards winning. I think we will be really good.”
Wiliams had looked at a number of different possibilities for next season. There were several Division III schools interested and the opportunity to walk-on at a Division I school was also present. Another possibility he looked at was a year of prep school and he visited Scotland Campus Prep in Pennsylvania to check things out. While it was a good trip, when it came down to it Williams decided that the love he received from Redlands needed to be reciprocated.
“They were like the first school that was on me and talking to me,” Williams said. “They’ve always been there and told me that I was their guy – they really wanted me there. Coach Tim Bross was the only coach on the floor after we won state and that showed me that they really cared and I want to go where I’m wanted.”
One of the other things Williams saw in front of him at Redlands was the opportunity to contribute immediately and do something special. “They had a senior who just graduated to played point guard for them,” Williams said. “It’s a big role to fill and they’re expecting me to play a big role and possibly start for them. Our goal is to win league and go to the NCAA Tournament and do all these things that haven’t been done there before.”
Williams noted that as Redlands recruited him, a number of Redlands alumni reached out to connect with him, and from them Williams was able to get a good feel for Coach Bross and his experience. “He’s coached pros and has sent guys to Europe and that’s my dream to play in Europe,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m setting myself up pretty well going there playing under him and I think I’ll play a big role and I’ll shine there.”
Williams currently ranks as the #51 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019 rankings.