Shawne Williams

Offered per Rivals and InsidersHoops

11/20/03: "All the drama about whether or not Shawne Williams would sign or not came to pass. He sat down yesterday morning at Hamilton High School and put his "John Hancock" on his LOI, and promptly submitted it to Memphis." - HoopMasters.com

11/18/03: "Hamilton star Shawne Williams told The Commercial Appeal late Monday he is "90 percent certain" he will sign with the University of Memphis on Wednesday. Williams, a 6-9 senior forward regarded as one of the nation's top 20 basketball players, had earlier backed out of a July commitment to the U of M, saying he wanted to take some visits.

Now, after wavering most of the past two weeks, it appears Williams is ready to put an end to his recruitment. "I believe I'm going to sign with Memphis on Wednesday," he said. "We've been talking to some (other schools), but my heart is here. . . . I'm 90 percent certain I'll sign with Memphis."

Williams said he has been in contact with Kansas, Cincinnati, Houston and Tennessee since saying he "probably wouldn't sign" during the early signing period, which ends Wednesday. "I was interested in all of them. They wanted me to take visits, but I just don't want to," he said. "This'll get a lot of stuff off me."

Williams said some schools were engaging in negative recruiting against the U of M. "I've heard a lot of stuff. They were like, 'You never know. (Tigers coach John Calipari) might be coaching the Grizzlies next season.'"

Williams's stated goal is to be in the NBA within two years, and the small forward believes he can start at the U of M as a freshman. "I guess I'd be willing to stay two years, but I'm on the one-year plan," he said." - Memphis Commercial Appeal

11/13/03: "The Tigers have accepted commitments from five recruits, and all were expected to sign Wednesday except for Hamilton High standout Shawne Williams, who last week expressed a desire to explore other options. Williams stayed true to that comment Wednesday and did not sign. Meanwhile, his coach applauded the patience of the Tiger staff. "I've talked to Cal and DK (U of M assistant Derek Kellogg), and they're not worried about it," said Hamilton's Ted Anderson. "When Shawne makes his decision, they'll be ready. He'll probably wind up with them," Anderson added. - Memphis Commercial Appeal (back to active)

11/10/03: "Shawne Williams is in the process of making, up to this point, one of the most difficult decisions of his early life. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward from Hamilton High School in Memphis, TN., had originally given a commitment to Memphis, but his since backed out of that pledge. There is a chance that Williams could still sign a Letter of Intent during the early signing period, but that is unlikely. “Yes, I’ve decided to back out of my commitment to Memphis,” Shawne Williams said. “I don’t really know if I will sign a Letter of Intent during the early period or not. I have been talking to my mother, grandfather and coach about that, but I have not made a decision. “I would say that it’s not likely that I will sign early,” he added. “There are some great schools that are very interested in me right now. Kansas, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Houston, Arkansas and Memphis are the schools I am seriously considering right now." - JayHawkSlant.com (Kansas)

11/07/03: "Our Mid-South Editor Jim Rothman tells us that 6'8 Shawne Williams from Memphis (Hamilton) TN, who is ranked #23 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, has reneged on the verbal commitment he made last summer to Memphis. Apparently the Tigers are still right at the top of Williams' list, but Houston, Arkansas, Cincinnati, and Kansas are now also being mentioned. Making the story even more interesting is the fact that the Memphis coaching staff doesn't appear to be too worried, which leads us to believe that this is a power play for Williams to get his close friend and AAU teammate -5'10 Andre Allen from Memphis (Booker T. Washington) TN - a scholarship offer from the Tigers." - www.HoopScoop.com

11/07/03: "The University of Memphis is expected to sign one of the nation's top recruiting classes when the early signing period for basketball opens Wednesday. But Tiger fans will likely have to wait to pencil Hamilton star Shawne Williams into the lineup.

A 6-9 senior forward ranked among the nation's top 20 players, Williams, who committed to the U of M in July, said Thursday he now plans to take some official visits and "probably won't sign" with any one until the spring.

Kansas, Houston, Cincinnati, Arkansas and Tennessee are among the schools Williams indicated he would consider visiting, although he and Hamilton coach Ted Anderson said Memphis remains his No. 1 choice. "I don't think that's an anti-U of M thing or a death knell for Memphis," Anderson said. "If I was a betting man, I'd bet he'll end up there. But he wants to take some visits, and I'll support him. He hasn't even had an official visit (to the U of M) yet. "He hasn't turned his back on Memphis. This doesn't mean Memphis is out. He just wants to broaden his horizons."

Williams in the past has expressed a reluctance to leave Memphis, but said he wants to keep his options open. "I feel comfortable here and I don't want to leave sometimes, but a couple years ain't nothin' out of my life because I'll always come back," Williams said. "I might take some visits so I can make sure Memphis is the place for me. I just want to double check."

Anderson earlier had advised Williams against committing to the U of M, saying the player needed to "get out of town." But when Williams returned from the Nike All-America camp in Indianapolis in July, he committed to the Tigers. Or did he? "Tell the Memphis fans that I'm coming for sure," Williams said at the time. "I'm loyal. I'm not going anywhere. . . . Now people can stop bothering me."

With that, Williams's recruitment eased. Kansas and Houston continued to pursue a player rated No. 5 nationally by Rivals.com. "I feel he was pressured up there (at the Nike camp)," Anderson said. "I felt he committed but Shawne insists he didn't commit. Obviously, there's some indecision there." Williams averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game last year while leading Hamilton to the AAA semifinals. - Memphis Comm Appeal


07/11/03: Listed as the 26th best player overall at the Nike Camp. - HoopScoop

07/10/03: "To call it a change of heart would be inaccurate because his heart never wavered one bit. Shawne Williams's first love has always been the University of Memphis. But based on the advice of others - namely his high school coach, Ted Anderson - the Hamilton star had recently said that he planned to play college basketball somewhere other than his hometown. Now, Williams is retracting that statement. In fact, the dynamic wing who has wowed onlookers this week at the Nike All-America Camp told The Commercial Appeal on Wednesday that he plans to be a Tiger and could publicly commit within days. "I've just got to go to Memphis," said Williams. "That's what I've been wanting to do since I was little. Since Larry (Finch) was there I've been wanting to play in front of the home crowd because I don't feel like anybody can support me like my hometown.

"It's my decision," Williams added. "I thought I should get out of town. But then I started thinking, 'Why should I leave?' I don't want to leave. I don't have a reason to leave." That last statement is one Anderson disagrees with whole-heartily, so much so that he's strongly advised his top talent to mark Memphis off his list.

Anderson said previously that because Williams wasn't living with either of his parents he was essentially "not in the best situation" and needed "to get out of town like no other (he's) ever had."

Williams, on Wednesday, said he respected his coach's thoughts. But the recent Best of the Preps Finalist claimed his situation isn't "that bad" and that he'd be fine at Memphis. "Coach wants me to go to Arkansas, but he's not going to be the one up there," Williams said. "I'm going to be the one up there going to school. And I might not like it there. So I don't want to go there."

Reached by phone Wednesday night back in Memphis, Anderson insisted he won't stand in Williams' way. "If Shawne emphatically wants to go to Memphis then I am OK with it," Anderson said. "Ultimately, it's his decision. And if that's what he wants to do, then he will go there with my blessing. I just hope it works out."

As for when a commitment might happen, Williams said it could be as soon as he gets back home on Friday. He added that he's been wanting to inform Memphis coach John Calipari of his new plans but because of NCAA regulations barring any communication hasn't been able to do so.

"I've been trying to talk to him and tell him but we can't talk right now," Williams said. "I guess he'll just see it in the paper."

A 6-9 rising senior, Rivals.com ranks Williams as the No. 1 small forward prospect in the nation. If anything, he has improved his standing this week. Playing on the same team as Marquise Gray, a Michigan State commitment, Williams has buried threes and slashed to the rim and dunked enough times to turn - in addition to Calipari - Buzz Peterson of Tennessee and Bob Huggins of Cincinnati into regulars at his games.

Those, by the way, are the only two schools Williams said he is still even remotely considering. Even so, Williams made it clear it would take something close to a miracle for the Vols or Bearcats to convince him Memphis isn't the place to be. "Shawne's helped himself tremendously up here," said Andre Whitehead, who covers recruiting within the state of Tennessee for HoopScoop.. "We have him as one of the top 10 players at the camp." - Memphis C-A

07/09/03: John Calipari, Buzz Peterson and Huggins watched Swann's game on Monday, per Insiders.

07/09/03: "Athletically, he does things other guys can’t come close to pulling off. It wasn’t so much his scoring that stood out as it was his ability to get things done. For instance, on the break he’s going full speed, angles around a defender and zips a bounce pass to a streaking teammate for a hoop. Plus, he’s a terrific finisher in transition." - http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/

07/08/03: "Shawne Williams, a 6-8, 235-pound small forward from Memphis Hamilton, said Monday that he is planning on taking an unofficial visits to Arkansas and Tennessee after the Nike Peach Jam ends in mid-July. He made it clear that Arkansas is high on a list that also includes Kentucky, Kansas, Cincinnati and Houston. "They (the Razorbacks) are most definitely at the top of my list," Williams said. "They said I could come here and let me play. I want to go somewhere that I can play right away. That way I can come out later on and play in the league."

Williams also said that despite reports to the contrary, he has not ruled out Memphis, but they aren’t among his top choices right now. "If Memphis is the place for me to play, then I'll go there," Williams said. "But if it's Arkansas, that's where I'll play. I just want to go wherever I will be the happiest at. I'll take these visits and I know for sure." Williams also said he was trying to talk fellow Nike camper and Memphis star Andre Allen, a 5-11, 190-pound point guard, into taking the visit to Arkansas with him. -NW Arkansas Times

07/02/03: Listed as 28th best player in his class. - InsidersHoops.com

06/18/03: "great size for a wing player. Jumps well and has low release jumper that is quite effective when he gets rolling. Attacks the basket well. Doesn't play much in the post. Has moved way up in the rankings this offseason and is recently #14 in RivalsHoops top 150. Has a long list of schools but often mentions Indiana, Tennessee, Cincinnati and Kentucky near the top. Says he won't make a decision till this winter." - Peegs.com (Indiana)

06/18/03: "continues to grow in stature this spring slashing to hoop off the dribble and popping open jumper from arc on in! He has been impressive using his quickness in transition. . . .Look for his name among our top forty prospects. Fast rising Memphis prep has exploded onto national spring this spring. He has interest from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Indiana, Memphis, Tennessee, Houston, Kentucky, and Maryland this spring." - HoopMasters.com

06/17/03: http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/prep_sports/
http://mas.scripps.com/MCA/2003/06/14/0615s15shawne_e.jpg
"Memphis Hamilton senior Shawne Williams has some summer goals. The small forward has been hot on the AAU circuit and he’s looking to raise the price of his stock this summer.

Shawne Williams is hot so he figures why stop now. "I’m trying to crack the Top 10,” Williams said. It’s going to be hard but I’m going to do it. It’s something I want to accomplish. First, I wanted to be ranked in the nation. Now, I want to keep doing it to be ranked No. 1.”

Those are lofty goals, but the Memphis Hamilton small forward continues to make strides with his game. The super athlete has been consistently expanding his range from the perimeter to the point where he’s a viable option out there. So far, he’s been pleased but not content with his efforts. "I’ve been doing alright but I can do better. I need to play more defense and hit more shots."

Arkansas, Memphis, Indiana, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Tennessee and Houston would like for him to be hitting shots and playing defense for their programs in the fall of 2004. He’s been on unofficial visits to Houston, Indiana and Memphis. The list is long, but three or four schools are rising to the top as we speak, but it’s early. "Memphis, Arkansas, Indiana and Tennessee are in the best shape right now. They’re just recruiting me the hardest, really."

Williams is business on the court, but he wants very much to enjoy the college life. “I need a school where I’m going to play that has a fun campus, somewhere I’ll like and enjoy." Last season, Williams averaged 19 points. His finest hour this spring and summer came at the Houston Kingwood Classic when he led Memphis YOMCA to the title game of the tournament before falling to the NY Gauchos." - InsidersHoops

06/15/03: "There was a time when it seemed like a lock. Shawne Williams loved the University of Memphis and how it offered him a chance to fulfill a dream. The University of Memphis loved Shawne Williams and how he could do things with a basketball that the average hoops prodigy simply cannot do. It was never a question of if. Only when.

Exactly when would the Hamilton High standout call a press conference, sit down behind a table, throw on a blue hat, look into the cameras and announce to the world - or at least the Memphis area - that he had decided to become a Tiger. But now . . . "I'm definitely not going to Memphis," Williams said last week without hesitation. "I have to look at what's best for me. And it's best for me to get out of town."

Shawne Williams is one of the most talented basketball players this city has produced in some time. He's a 6-9 wing who drains jumpers from the perimeter. He's a guard trapped in a power forward's body, a combination that makes scouts salivate. Most agree that Williams possesses all the skills to one day play this game at the highest level. And he's only added to that reputation in recent weeks on the AAU circuit while breaking into the top 15 of some evaluators' national rankings. "Every time I've seen Shawne, he's been great," said Jeff Goodman, a recruiting analyst for PrepStars.com. "He's obviously come onto the national scene, I would say, almost as much as anyone this summer."

Meanwhile, Williams's personal life has deteriorated to the point to where his high school coach, Ted Anderson, insists he needs a change of scenery. That's why the U of M is no longer an option. Without getting into the details, Williams is living every inner-city cliche you've ever heard. And though it's hard to find anybody who can say a bad word about the kid himself, it's equally as difficult to get a soul to deny he isn't in a tough situation that's setup for a slip-up.

Both of Williams's parents are around town, but neither takes care of their son. In fact, right now Anderson said that his star prospect isn't living with any family members and is getting far less supervision than a 17 year-old needs. "Shawne's not in the best situation," Anderson explained in no shortage of words. "He's living a hard life. And that's why I have to get him out of town like no other that I have ever had. "It's nothing against the University of Memphis," added Anderson, who is a U of M graduate. "If the University of Memphis were in another city, that would be fine. But it's not. It's here. And Shawne has to get out of here."

Considering the shaky foundation, it's fair to note that prep school seems like a decent option for Williams. It would provide an immediate escape from the streets of Memphis and likely better his reputation on the national level while improving his academic standing, which with a 19 on the ACT is already in solid shape.

Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, and Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina -two storied boarding schools that produced such stars as Ron Mercer, Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady - have inquired about Williams spending his senior season with them. Regardless, Anderson insisted prep school is not a possibility no matter how desperate the situation might get. "That's something that's been brought to me, but we're not doing it," he said. "Shawne is a Hamilton kid. He's going to graduate from Hamilton."

Anderson has met several times over the past few months with John Calipari and expressed his concerns to the Memphis coach. And though the two clearly don't agree on what's best for Williams, Calipari - who doesn't have a history of chasing prospects who don't also chase him, nor does he need to - seems content with Anderson's wishes, and the Tigers' once-relentless recruitment of Williams has cooled considerably.

Case in point: when Williams picked up a stack of mail from Hamilton late last week that fills more than one box at the school, there were letters from virtually every school he's been interested in - Cincinnati, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Houston and Arkansas are some of Williams's favorites - except for Memphis. "Cal understands," Anderson said. "He wants Shawne, but he knows where I'm coming from because we've talked about it. "In the end, Shawne is going to be fine, and the University of Memphis is going to be fine, too," Anderson concluded. "I'm just trying to do what's best for Shawne. And getting as far away from here as he can is going to be what's best for Shawne." - Memphis Commercial Appeal

http://www.volball.com/recruiting/2004/profile_shawnewilliams.htm

06/09/03: "He has been offered by Arkansas, Cincinnati, DePaul, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee and Virginia. Has mentioned the possibility of being a package deal with AAU teammate Andre Allen, a 5'8" point guard. Shawne has also considered Arkansas St., Houston, Kentucky, Maryland and Ole Miss. He wants to go to a college that he will be able to get early playing time. Has passed the ACT test." - Hawgball recruiting (Arkansas)

06/09/03: Listed as the 14th best player in his class. - RivalsHoops

06/06/03: Listed as the 35th best player in his class. - PrepStars

05/29/03: "Williams. . .is the guy that has emerged as the top rated prospect from the talent laden city. The Hamilton High School player is 6'8, 210 pounds but has shown just about everyone that he truly has the ball handling and shooting skills to play out on the wing in college, whether it be shooting guard or small forward. His fine spring play has vaulted him up to #21 on the RivalsHoops national rankings. . . . The 6'8 player told us he prefers to play guard. . ." - RivalsHoops

05/13/03: "One of the top performers on the AAU circuit this summer has been Shawne Williams from Hamilton High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

Williams, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound small forward played well during the Kingwood Classic and helped his YOMCA Memphis team to the finals where they lost to Riverside Church based out of New York.

After his impressive performance, which took place at an event where every major college had a representative, Williams’ recruitment has reached a fevered pitch and he is currently receiving overtures from some of the top colleges in the country.

"Everything got crazy after Kingwood. It seemed like everyone wanted to talk with me and were interested in me playing for them,” Williams said. “Virginia, Houston, Ole Miss, Memphis, Tennessee and Arkansas all came by my school during the contact period. Also Cincinnati, UAB, Kentucky, Alabama and a bunch more that I can’t remember are recruiting me now. I have offers from most of those schools.”

Williams, who is ranked the 21st best prospect in the nation by RivalsHoops.com, indicated that despite the many options he now has, a few schools have stood out during the early part of the recruiting process. "My favorites are Memphis, Houston, Virginia, Tennessee and probably Cincinnati,” Williams said. “But I’m keeping an open mind. I’m listening to what every coach has to say and I will take some unofficial and official visits to help me determine which schools suits me the best. I’m not ruling anyone out yet."

The Tennessee Volunteers and Memphis Wildcats reside at the top of his list and Williams had good things to say about both in-state schools. "Memphis is really close to home and I grew up a fan of their program. Their style suits me since it’s push it up the floor and make things happen. Coach Calipari is a nice guy and good coach. I like the directions of the program since he’s been there. Tennessee is also close to home and I think they are a rising program. I know that Coach Peterson has done a good job and now he’s trying to get some talent in his program so that he can compete at a high level. They should be good in the future and I’m looking for that in a school."

While most of the schools on his list come from the Deep South, Williams said that Houston is currently recruiting him the hardest and the Cougars have a possible wildcard in their favor. "The Houston campus is real nice and I could get a lot of playing time there as a freshman. They are the only school recruiting me as a shooting guard and that’s really where I want to play,” Williams said. “Houston is recruiting my partner, Andre Allen, and we’ve talked about going there so that we can continue to play together. We are very tight and teaming up with him for four more years is something that I wouldn’t mind." Last season Williams, who carries a 2.1 GPA and 19 ACT score, averaged over 20 points per game, 14 rebounds and five assists while earning 1st team all-state honors." - RivalsHoops.com

05/01/03: "The Memphis YOMCA product said that he likes Houston, Memphis, Cincinnati, Maryland, Tennessee and Kentucky. But, he’s got a pair of early leaders in Memphis and Houston." - InsidersHoops

04/23/03: "Shawne Williams is one of the faster rising small forwards in the country. On Wednesday, the DePaul Blue Demons sent assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer to watch him workout. DePaul has offered a scholarship." - InsidersHoops.com

Memphis Hamilton head coach Ted Anderson is the father of former Arkansas Razorback, Todd Day.

08/16/02: Listed as the 97th best player in his class. - HoopScoop