Shaun Williams discusses Kansas State commitment
Standout combo guard Shaun Williams of Hazelwood Central recently gave a verbal commitment to Kansas State University after an excellent summer with the Brad Beal Elite 17U.
The 6’3″ Williams becomes the latest in a growing group of players from the St. Louis area to commit to the Wildcats and its head coach Bruce Weber and assistant coach Chris Lowery. Both coaches experienced a lot of success recruiting St. Louis during their stints as head coaches at Southern Illinois University.
Two of Williams’ future teammates at Kansas State will be former Hazelwood Central teammate Xavier Sneed and incoming freshman Levi Stockard from Vashon.
“Recruiting players from St. Louis and putting them on the same team, it’s going to be hard to stop because of the chemistry and the toughness,” Williams said.
Williams chose the Wildcats over several other suitors, but the finalists were Indiana State, Dayton, VCU and Murray State. His relationship with the coaching staff made the difference in his final decision.
“Me and the coaching staff became real close and they made K-State feel like my home away from home,” Williams said. “They have been watching me since I was in eighth grade and they kept in touch with me the most.”
As a junior, Williams had a breakout season at Central as he averaged 18.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.
Williams was a key backcourt player for Brad Beal Elite’s excellent 17U team that advanced to the Final Four of the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. In six games at the Peach Jam, Williams averaged 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team high 7.0 assists a game. He had a top performance of 11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a victory over the eventual Peach Jam champion Oakland Soldiers in pool play.