East Versus West For Star PG

There are usually many reasons why a top recruit will transfer from one high school program to another. But there is an interesting reason why perhaps outstanding combo guard Marcus Williams has decided to leave the sunshine of the West Coast to play for Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith.

Smith told us that he believes Williams is headed to the East Coast to play his senior year for an interesting reason. "I think he wants to see whether he would like playing college ball in this part of the country," Smith said. "He likes the West Coast a lot but wants to see how it would be like to play on the East Coast."

Williams got a little taste of the East Coast two weeks ago when he showed basketball onlookers that he is one of the best players in the 2003 class. He played at the Gibbons TOC. What he showed RivalsHoops was: Williams is sneaky quick and smart. Plus, he can shoot the ball from long range. Add up these characteristics and you have yourself one fine point guard. "He's under control," Smith said. "He doesn't force the issue when he doesn't have an opening. He doesn't make turnovers. He is a solid lead guard. That's where he will be playing for us along with J.R. (Reynolds, Virginia recruit) this season."

Williams, 6-3 and 175 pounds, is a solid floor general who can score from anywhere on the court. Williams played with the Southern California All Stars. Williams and his teammates did just fine at the TOC. Though they lost in the final against the Playaz Gold team, Williams and his team proved they are one of the best AAU squads in the country.

Williams told us that Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and North Carolina are very high on his list along with UCLA, Arizona, and Arizona State. "He already likes the West Coast schools," Smith said. "But I think he is trying to see whether he will like the East Coast schools too. He really likes Connecticut."