KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kansas has been involved with two members of the Boo Williams big three for quite some time. Now, the Jayhawks are beginning to pursue Troy Williams in addition to Anthony Barber and Allerik Freeman.
The Shiver had the opportunity to catch up with Williams, a 6’6 small forward, while he was at the ESPN Wide World of Sports for 11th Grade AAU Nationals.
The class of 2013 wing listed Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisville, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgetown, South Carolina, Kansas, Indiana, and Memphis as the programs involved with him.
Williams, who will attend Oak Hill Academy (VA) for his senior year, said all of those schools have offered except for Kansas.
“Not much really, they just want to see more games still,” Williams said of what he KU coaches have told him about an offer. “They say they’ve got a high interest, they just haven’t talked about offering yet.”
The rising senior has no favorites right now and said that “everybody is neutral” in his recruitment.
Thus far, he has North Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky, and Georgetown. He is hoping to go on another trip soon.
“If I can I’m gonna try to get up to Alabama next month,” Williams said.
Williams, who is unsure if he will use all five of his official visits, noted that he would like to commit in the fall and then sign early.
Asked if there is a reason he wants to ink early, Williams responded, “No, not really, it just–I wouldn’t say it’s a lot of stress, but just get that off my back and then I can focus on school and then what I wanna major in more.”
Williams talked about what it is that he is looking for in a college.
“I already know that all the schools have good academics, good coaches and everything, good campus and all,” Williams said. “It’s just gonna depend on how well I get along with the head coach.”
The athletic scorer noted that there is a certain style of play that he prefers to be in.
“Yeah, definitely,” Williams began. “Definitely uptempo, transition-type offense.”
There has been some chatter about Williams and AAU teammate Anthony “Cat” Barber going to the same school, something the two have discussed.
“Yeah, we’ve talked about it,” Williams said. “We’re still not sure yet.”
So, which school would be in play if the two do opt to attend school together?
“It’s three of them that are recruiting us,” Williams said. “It’s Louisville, Alabama and Kansas, and no, Memphis now. Memphis is both recruiting us too, so it’s those four.”
Williams elaborated a bit on his thoughts about being a package deal with Barber.
“It’s still out there, it’s still 50/50, we’re not too sure yet,” Williams said. “We’re just gonna finish off this tournament and see where it goes from there.”
The Old Dominion State star also discussed with The Shiver what the Kansas coaching staff has been saying to him.
“They say they have a very high interest in me,” Williams said. “They say I could fit into the playing style. They got athletic guards there. They said that if I come, it would be two athletic guards plus Cat running the point too. So, that’s all they’ve been saying, I haven’t talked to them too much.”
Williams said that he has been in touch with KU head coach Bill Self and assistant coach Joe Dooley. He discussed his relationship with Self.
“We’re real cool,” Williams said. “He’s a real down to earth guy, real cool guy. I get along well with him.”
It was after the Nike Global Challenge in early July that Kansas began to recruit him, Williams said. He shared what the Jayhawks coaches told him when they first made contact.
“They said I’ve been playing well,” Williams said. “They said they had picked up interest in me and that was it.”
At this point, Williams is still pretty unfamiliar with the Kansas program,
“It’s not a very high knowledge [level I have about KU],” Williams said. “I’ve just seen them play and I know their playing style.”
Check Troy Williams Highlights:
