Corey Pegram:
Regional Recruiting Analyst covering high school and junior nationally.
Waco, TX (Future150) -- Entering your senior year of high school with aspirations of playing college ball, but having limited opportunities to do so, can be an intimidating and worrisome process. Players without any or only a couple offers on the table will sometimes think they must outperform their own capabilities and those of not only their opponents but also their teammates, hoping that this will translate into phone calls from coaches.
Where does this mentality take them?
Often times to the bench. It takes them away from themselves and who they are as players. They begin trying to make plays they aren’t comfortable making and are out there for themselves, rather than the team. They become less productive and less valuable.
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
Players like these can learn from Waco University High School (TX) senior forward Kenrich Williams.
The early signing period has come and gone, and Williams has offers from Texas A&M Kingsville (Division II) and Southern University.
What is he doing?
Trying to win games, plain and simple.
“I’m just trying to be a team player and do whatever my team needs me to do, whether that’s scoring, rebounding, or playing defense,” he said.
Williams gets it. He’s not going to go out and jack up thirty shots a game just to get his points. He’s going to play to his strengths and do what he needs to do for his team to win games. He prides himself on team, not self, and that’s something to be admired.
He’s doing what college coaches want to see.
And guess what – it’s translating to more college interest. Williams said that Texas State, Abilene Christian, Air Force, and Denver University have all been in touch lately. Whether they offer or not remains to be seen, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Averaging 15.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game (from MaxPreps) in his senior campaign, Williams is the object of versatility.
“My strengths are that I’m versatile, I can get to the basket, and I can find open guys. I can play almost any position on the floor. A couple times I’ve been asked to play point guard because I can handle the ball at my size.”
At 6’7,” Williams recognized there are plenty of areas to work on but that his main focus right now is adding strength to his 180 pound frame.
Even more importantly, however, are the results on the court. When asked about his goals for the season, he gave an appropriate answer.
“To win it all,” he said.
Comments:
Now that is how a CHRISTian athlete does an interview! Well done & said Kenrich Lo Williams! #51