- Ben Hall
Highly touted small forward Ziaire Williams discusses Team USA training camp and basketball career
After standing out at the USA Men’s U19 World Cup Team Training Camp, Ziaire Williams was selected to the 12 man roster who will compete in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece.
“It is truly an honor and a blessing from God to be able to represent my country,” Williams said. “The experience has been amazing and the Colorado Springs Training Center is extremely professional. From brilliant physical therapists, to fresh food made by chefs, it is definitely a privilege to be able to get a chance to represent my country.”
Although Williams was one of the youngest players out there, he was one of the main players standing out at the forward position. He showed his ability to finish inside the paint and to shoot the three. He also showed off his handles and his pull up jumper game.
“At the end of the day we are all playing the same game regardless of age. So it’s a great feeling to be known as a “standout” but I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to be one of the players on the 12 man roster to be able to represent our country in Greece,” Williams said before the final cuts were made.
Williams is a 6’7 small forward from Lancaster, California. He is a highly looked upon athlete from the are.
“It means a lot to me to be able to represent my city because there’s not a lot of wealth and resources out there,” Williams said. “So to be able to be successful from a small city like that is definitely an accomplishment.”
He attends high school at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, California. Entering his senior season, Williams will look to get his team to the 2AA CIF Southern Championship.
Williams plays for the Oakland Soldiers in the EYBL during the summer. In 13 games this summer, Williams has averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 27.4 minutes per game.
“The Oakland Soldiers provided me national recognition on the EYBL circuit and they believed in me more than I even did,” Williams said when asked how playing with the Oakland Soldiers has helped him develop. “They gave me the confidence to prove that I am one of the best players in the class of 2020 and I can’t thank them enough for that.”
Williams currently holds offers from North Carolina, Arizona, Virginia, TCU, Memphis, Oregon, Stanford, Nevada, California, and many other schools. He will likely commit sometime during his senior year.
