South Alabama Guard Soaring Towards the Big East

Ivan McDowell
Southeast/Mid-South Editor

LeFlore H.S. (AL) star’s game belies his young age.

August 15, 2006 - Leflore High School wing guard Nick Williams may be just 16-years old, yet he has the game and of someone older. Much, much older.

This recent Marquette commit can get to the basket with ease and ferocity, while stroking the ball from deep when opponents play him for the drive. Sound like another Marquette star?

Even though Williams won’t arrive on the Milwaukee, Wisconsin campus until 2008, the 6’5 jumping jack is already being compared to Miami Heat star and NBA champion Dwyane Wade.

“Certainly when he took a look at Marquette he saw what Wade did at the same position and how he was utilized and that made a big impression on him”, commented Leflore boy’s basketball Coach Otis Hughley. Williams expounded.

“I went up there for Marquette’s Elite Camp and bonded with the Coach Crean and his staff. They made me feel like they wanted me and explained how I would fit in”, said Nick, who gave the Golden Eagles a verbal a few weeks ago.

Although Williams can’t sign a letter-of-intent until November, Marquette’s contemporaries seem to have missed out on the chance to land one of the junior classes’ top guards. Miami, FSU, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Cincinnati and Texas A&M, were some of the heavy weights vying for Nick’s services.

“I think they stood out among the rest”, said Hughley. “Marquette was consistent; they got in on him early and never wavered from their commitment to him.”

“I was impressed because they clearly stated what they were looking for from me, both athletically and academically, and that reverberated what I was looking for in a school.” Nick is a solid student, who carries a 3.1 GPA, and wants to study sports medicine.

Marquette’s recent success on the court should be a comfort zone to the young Williams, as he is most certainly used to playing on a winning program. Leflore, which is located in Mobile, AL, advanced to the Elite 8 of the 6A state playoffs last year and finished with a 29-6 record.

During last season’s run, Nick averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds playing mostly in the post because he’s one of the best athletes and tallest players on the team.
As a freshman, Williams helped lead the Rattlers to an impressive 35-1 record and a state championship birth.

Opponents got a whiff of what the south Alabama native’s explosion felt like during the AAU summer circuit. Williams averaged 17 points a game during the AAU Nationals in Orlando playing for the Alabama Challenge.

Earlier, Nick posted a solid overall performance at the Nike Peach Jam in Augusta, scoring 20 points in an upset win over the favored Portland Legends and top 10 prepster Kyle Singler.

Williams’ success on the hardwood and in the classroom can be attributed to his hard work, dedication and preparation, while equally a result of the efforts of his mother Gloria, and Coach Hughley.

“Nick is just a good kid”, exclaimed Hughley. “He has a maturity and drive that is unseen in a young man his age. He is always prepared and continuously wants to learn more and more to get better.”

“My mom is always there for me, makes sure I stay humble, give praise to God and be the best person I can be.”

Looks like Marquette has itself a great player and an even better young man.