demarcus williams update

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

DeMarcus Williams To Visit
UW This Weekend--(Nov. 4, 1999)

For those who don't want to read all the way through our preview of Upland High School, which we just posted, here's the short take on the recruiting of DeMarcus Williams (6'-8" Sr. PF/C) from Upland. DeMarcus will be visiting the University of Washington this weekend with his mother. Contrary though to other published reports elsewhere, Pepperdine is still very much involved in his recruiting, and it will likely come down to Washington, Pepperdine, St. Mary's and possibly Wyoming.

In the last year, DeMarcus has grown about two inches and has really bulked up and weighs about 250. He's a huge presence, who runs the court very well for a big man, and he's also really improved his game since last year, in some games dramatically, playing all summer with IEBP. "He seems to have figured out just how big and strong he really is," said his high school coach Jeff Klein. "If he can become a scorer, DeMarcus may be one of those late-bloomers who winds up having a very productive college career." Our observations of DeMarcus over the last several years are the same: He's the kind of young man who could go to a D-I school, and have a very nice career, possibly star, or go to a D-II or D-III school and be an instant All-American for four straight years; it all depends on what DeMarcus wants. From the recruiting information we've gotten from him, DeMarcus wants the D-I route, and it looks like that's what he'll do.

Earlier this fall, we talked a lot with DeMarcus at the Long Beach Fall Hoops Classic, which was just about the same time a lot rumors and internet reports were being published to the effect that UCLA had suddenly fallen in love with him, and had hastily set up a home visit with the family after seeing DeMarcus have a spectacular game at the IEBP Fall Shootout earlier in September. The home visit ultimately didn't take place, but DeMarcus was philosophical about it: "There are a lot of schools recruiting me. UCLA would be nice, but I've got a lot of choices," he told us at the time.

Coach Klein confirmed last night that DeMarcus still has lots of options, including what looks to be an offer from Washington, and contrary to some other published reports, Pepperdine, which is still very much recruiting him. DeMarcus is also a very smart player, who wants to major in business, so one of the key criteria he looks for in a school is what kind of business program the school has. Both Washington and Pepperdine (with its Graziadio School of Business and Management) are still prime candidates.