Williams high on six schools

After a productive and busy spring, Shawn Williams is entering the summer period as a wanted man. The 6-foot-7 forward from Duncanville (Texas) High School has a half dozen schools high on his list and is ready for another round of big tournaments to play in front of his pursuers.

Williams shined on his Texas Select team in April, particularly at the Real Deal on the Hill where he showed more versatility and produced both inside and out.

"This was really the first April that I've been healthy. Last year I hurt my ankle real bad. This year I have been lifting weights and trying to get stronger so I can mix it up even more. The last couple of years I've been playing more as a shooter and playing more like a two or a three. This year I'm trying to be more like a Carmelo Anthony type of game, kind of like an inside-outside kind of game," Williams said.

"I'm trying to let everybody see how my game has changed. I know a lot of people think I'm just a shooter. I'm working on my ball-handling but also working on things where I can be better in the paint. I'm trying to mix it all up so I'm not one dimensional."

Six schools don't think he is one-dimensional. Arkansas, Baylor, Texas, UCLA, Florida and Kentucky, that's who sits atop Williams' short list these days.

All six programs have offered, he says, with UCLA and Florida tendering a scholarship after seeing him in the April period. Williams said he has found positives in all six of his favorites.

"I love Texas because of their playing style and their coaches. I love the coaches down there at Baylor, too, coach Drew and everyone. Arkansas, I like the way they play and coach Pelphrey. With UCLA, it's probably the most prestigious schools out there. Kentucky has been recruiting me for a while now. Florida, they just win championships," he said. "These schools all have something that appeal to me."

Williams has been to Arkansas, Texas and Baylor. He said he hopes to visit UCLA, Florida and Kentucky either in the summer or in the fall. Williams said he'd like to use all of his official visits.

"I'll probably wait until after that to make my decision," Williams said. "I don't want to make my decision too early because I don't want to miss anything. I want to be on their campus when there is a football game and see how the school is when the students are all there. I mean that's where I'm going to spend the next four years of my life."