Jeffree Williams Ends H.S. Career
The high school career of Jeffree Williams, a 6-9, 225 pound combo forward from
Portland (OR) Roosevelt HS, is officially over. Williams - who had inked with
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Oregon State in the fall signing period - decided to quit the team on
Valentine's Day.
"It wasn't about injuries or anything," Williams told The Oregonian. "I just
didn't want to play anymore."
Williams had been one of the top - and most intriguing - talents in the state
of Oregon this season. A genuine inside-outside threat, his combination of
size and athleticism allowed him to dominate in the post, and he also had the
ability to step outside and hit the outside shot all the way beyond the college
three-point line.
If you haven't heard Williams' story - and not many people outside the state
have - it's a good one. This season was actually the first court action
Williams had seen in three years. After starting and averaging 12 points and
eight rebounds as a freshman at Milwaukie (OR) La Salle HS in 1999-2000,
Williams gave up the game for two years, turning his back on hoops to pursue a
career in professional wrestling (yes, you read that right).
But Williams decided to return to the game and joined Marc Niebergall's
Portland Elite Red AAU program this past summer, which traveled to Las Vegas
and Los Angeles for tournaments. It didn't take long for Williams to make an
impact, and after one 26 point effort in which he sank six three-pointers,
colleges took immediate interest in this mystery player. After hearing
overtures from some smaller schools such as Portland, San Diego, and Cal-State
Northridge, Williams got in touch with Oregon State. Not long after, he
verballed to the Beavers in October, and eventually signed on the bottom line
for Jay John.
While expectations were high for Williams - and Roosevelt - this season, it
unfortunately never really meshed as Williams did not play much early in the
year due to an ankle injury and various illnesses. Those ailments limited
Williams' appearances all season long.
"It's been disappointing that he hasn't been able to be in more," said
Roosevelt head coach Terry Bennett. "He hasn't really gotten into the flow."
However, in the games that Williams was able to participate in, he made a
definite impact for the Roughriders. In six contests, Williams averaged almost
12 points and 10 rebounds, and was a force defensively as a dominating
shot-blocker. He also contributed with his passing.
"He's a kid with a huge upside," said Bennett. "He helps change the game."
Some of Williams' top games this season included 9 points in a 75-68 Roosevelt
upset victory over powerhouse Jefferson HS, and a 13 point/15 rebound
double-double against Wilson HS on February 7, where he also tossed in six
assists - a game which turned out to be the last game of his high school
career.
The future is somewhat uncertain for Williams, although his letter of intent
with OSU is still valid. Jay John has declined to comment about the situation.
"You reach a fine line where you are being helpful to a kid and enabling that
kid," Bennett told The Oregonian. "That's where we were with Jeff."
Jed Tai is a Senior Writer for Hoopville.com