Inside the Hall - Latest Comments in Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

ryan_iu — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:41:54 -0000

hey Paul so is bringing you back to the Mike Davis recruiting days a good thing or a bad thing because i think mike davis is a hell of a recruiter just not much of a coach...

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

markb — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:59:18 -0000

Well, every team needs some seldoused players who are happy just to ride the pine, work hard every day at practice, and have a good attitude. Problem is, those guys should have the ability to at least be role players. But Williams ... well, as one service put it, "He could be a decent role player IF he improves ..."
Personally, for a progam that has already lost 1-2 scholarships due to infractions, I just don't get it. Why would you basically take away another scholarship for 4 years, but awarding it to a kid who really cannot compete at your level? I mean, you're taking a gamble when you are counting on the kid improving ... the only players you should take such gambles on are 7 footers, and even then, only freshmen (not junior college transfers who averaged all of 4 ppg and 4 rpg like Jobe). Frankly, I think Crean & Co. are recruiting like they're still at Marquette, and not at Indiana, an elite program.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Trey Trice — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:14:40 -0000

Dont worry bout this guy he is someone who is under the radar. Tom Crean has shown that he likes to recruit deep into FLorida and this kid is one of the nations elite. Give him by next year and he will be in the rivals top 150 with at least 3 to 4 stars.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

chitownhoosier — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:56:12 -0000

everybody is hating on a kid we know nothing about. Reminds me of someone.. i think he did ok in college. Something about a final four. believe he was the 5th pick in the draft. plays for the heat. won a championship in 06. and absolutely destroyed people in the NBA this year. whats his name again...

yeah that dude had three scholly offers and wasn't a five or four star either.

oh and by the way imagine you have waterford who is just about his height and seems to do the same things with the basketball and then you have this guy sub in for him. or better yet play at the same time. you tell me that won't cause match up problems. throw in a ridiculous point guard in teague and we could be the scariest team in the big ten in 2 years.

plus if this guy is as good as his stats are hell be a ranked player by next year anyhow

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

CutterInChicago — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:10:51 -0000

My 2 cents:

I think we would all agree that recruiting is an inexact science which depends on a multitude of factors, most of which are subjective.

A large part of this picture depends on the coach, in this case, Coach Crean who is getting paid a ton of money, is coming off a 6 win season and obviously has his reputation/future riding on decisions such as recruiting and making offers to kids like Williams - so I cannot imagine that he's just going to be giving scholarships away for giggles. Further, as the article says "Williams plays for AAU basketball for the Atlantic Celtics, an organization that Indiana assistant Roshown McCleod." Clearly, 2 of our coaching staff like something in this player.

Then combine all that with these recruiting ranking systems (which I will confess, I know little about their methodology - but wasn't Richard Mandeville the next big thing as opposed to turning out to be the poor man's Magnus Pelkowski?) which tend to fluctuate over time since these kids are growing boys who might develop as they mature (what a concept!)

So while we all want Coach Crean to sign the second coming of Calbert Cheaney, Isiah Thomas, A.J. Guyton, D.J. White, Scott May, Eric Gordon, Mike Woodson and Steve Alford, I think most of us realize that getting a few of those types of special players is the most likely scenario and surrounding them with other players who can fill roles on the team is critical.

So, to sum up:
David Williams, slowly gaining acceptance.
Tom Crean, stay the course.
IU Hoops, thousand points of light

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

ichaser — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:03:20 -0000

Crean - Welcome to Indiana. Look at what you get to look forward to the rest of your time here. Whatever you do just don't feel like you have to explain yourself to us. Your the coach - this is your program and what you say and do is what it is. Who cares what other people think - those other people are accountants or lawyers or something besides the head of a major collegiate basketball program and there is a reason for that. In Crean I trust.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

ind23 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:40:50 -0000

could definitely play out into something good, be a good role player. but either way, welcome to IU!

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

JerryCT — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:33:36 -0000

I think Steve Martin above is probably accurate............for now..........the kid is only a maturing JR in HS.

It appears the 21P/G and 11 Rebs repeated here alot is untrue as S Martin says.

I checked the First Coast HS stats and he was not at all close to these numbers. He had a complete stat sheet however with assists. steals, blocks etc. but poor foul shooter.

Again, only a maturing JR, 3.8gpa, Crean knows basketball, I am on board.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

IUDEW — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:31:26 -0000

I've got to agree. Look at Goran Suton. Did he contribute to MSU as a senior? Was he a 5 star? 4 star? 3 star?

TC gets paid to make decisions like this. He sees something and I'm fine with his judgment.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Kelin Blab — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:02:27 -0000

Steve the Atlanta Celtics are a nationally known and competitive AAU program I am for certain they are better than any FLorida AAU team given the pedigree they have...

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

D.R. — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:53:25 -0000

I think it is ok to give Crean credit for Wade. He clearly developed a talented, and apparently troubled, young man to the #5 pick in the NBA draft. I am not sure how many (if any) "stars" Wade was ranked... Its not as though Wade was a clear pro prospect in high school (i.e. Garnett, LeBron, Kobe, Howard).

From Wikipedia (so you know is has to be true)....

"Wade attended Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn.[1] He did not see a lot of playing time his sophomore year as his stepbrother, Demetris McDaniel, was the star of the team.[5] Wade grew four inches in the summer before his junior year and proceeded to average 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.[6] Wade then averaged 27.0 points and 11.0 rebounds his senior year, and led his team to a 24–5 record.[6] They advanced to the title game of the Class AA Eisenhower Sectional,[6] during the season he set school records for points (676) and steals (106) in a season.[6]

Wade was recruited by only three schools (Marquette University, Illinois State, and DePaul University) as a result of academic problems."

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Steve Martin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:16:38 -0000

Hi. I am a student at IU, but I am from Jax. The best AAU team in Jax is the Lee Bulls. Why would he go to Atlanta and play? He does have a legit 3.8 as he is a smart person. He went to a top Middle School in the city that take the best of the best academically. I saw him play a few times for the Bucs (First Coast High), and I read the Times Union daily during b-ball season. I don't even think he ever scored 21 in a game. He is a legit 6'6" 6'7" though. This is shaky. I think this may have more to do with AAU/college coaches' relationships and graduation rate than it does a big time recruit. He is a good person but average basketball player at best.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

MillaRed — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:09:39 -0000

The first thing that sticks out as I read through these reactions is some of the bashing going on in here between bloggers. I've never seen comments quite like this on the site. Frankly, I thought this was a site that kept it cool and respected each other. Maybe I was wrong.

The kids dad is a firefighter? Mom is a teacher? Physical Therapy major? 3.8 GPA?

Look, there is more to this rebuilding program than meets the eye. We had a handful of dope smokers two classes ago. We just hauled in a 4-year kid that will boost the team GPA and by the way, he's a gifted athlete with good size? Bring him on........

Maybe this last season was necessary to humble us a little. I hope some of these reactions aren't an indication of things to come when Crean gets us back to glory.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

JBLOTKAMP — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:33:00 -0000

Does anyone know if David Williams was at any games this past season or if he visited that campus before comitting? If I remember right, Nick Williams committed without stepping foot on campus. Offical or unoffical visits?

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

CraiginOR — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:11:13 -0000

Indy Star article made me feel good about this kid. 6'7 220 lb and growing guard hmmmm

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

CraiginOR — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:02:03 -0000

the Indy Star article eased my mind and the thought of a 6'7 220lb guard just adds to what is looking like a great inside/outside game ability for Crean and IU

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

SB_Hoosier — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:28:28 -0000

Agreed, and if this guy really develops (in the eyes of the scouting services) and all of a sudden would be a highly recruited guy, then we're ahead of the curve by having already signed him. I'm no D-1 coach, and can't say what his role may or may not be when he steps on campus, but if the coaching staff thinks he's worth a scholly, then I'm fine with it. They've already shown they can sign the 4 and 5 star guys, so for some reason I don't see this as settling or signing a role player.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Kelin Blab — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:37:35 -0000

Thanks for saying that cause it limits Crean success to just one player.....D.Wade was a great college player and find for crean but there were others..............

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

SpaceCadet — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:29:59 -0000

I would rather have an unranked & overlooked player come in with the chance to surprise with stellar play than have a highly ranked prospect come in and fizzle (ah-hem*Bracey Wright*ah-hem).

Regardless, Welcome to Indiana University Mr. David Williams. Here's to wishing for the best.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

James — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:15:32 -0000

Just one quick comment...not to thread jack...but can people please stop using the - see Dwayne Wade) - as an argument supporting Tom Crean and his guard development or system?? I fully believe that he has the ability and is great at developing and finding talent...but lets use names like Dominick James, McNeal, Diener and Hulls instead of the once in a generation talent like D-Wade...k thats all.

-Crean is the same coach that you loved and trusted yesterday at this time. I would and do trust his judgment and I think you should too.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

BGleas — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:10:13 -0000

Any chance this is like the football player in Nevada last year that held a press conference announcing he was going to Cal, but it ended up no D1 schools were really recruiting him?

Ok, calm down, I'm just kidding!

Like everyone else, I agree every team needs roles players and if your role player is a 6-7 point forward that can handle and defend, that's a good thing. I think people problem is that this is so out of left field, and usually the 2-3 star role players are added after you've landed the big fish, not before.

Either way it's good to get a presence in Florida and with that AAU team.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Vlad the Inhaler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:04:15 -0000

What is your coaching experience Paul? We don't care what you think.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Kelin Blab — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0000

If I recall, before Jordan Hulls became, Jordan Hulls, he was rated pretty low, called slow, and not a D-1 talent.....then came a great summer, a Duke offer and the rest is history.........

Give the guy a chance, give crean some credit....and be reasonable...we can't have ALL the 5star kids people.......

Now if you keep this up, I have denim shirt's number and I will call him and let him know IU may be interested after Crean retires............

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

Ben Young — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:54:03 -0000

Yes, we have to fill roles. This guy could have shut down D, or he could be a leader, but we really don't know. Kentucky was interested and Crean offered so he must be worth it. We don't want to recruit a bunch of guys that want playing time and have them transfer. My personal opinion on rivals and scout is they are for the most part worthless.

Re: Hoosiers land first 2010 commitment: Jacksonville’s David Williams

CoveyDale — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:43:43 -0000

I think Lee was a 3-star.

The reason why he didn't get a lot of high-major attention is because most schools knew he was an academic risk.

To play devil's advocate, maybe the scouts just haven't seen enough tape on Williams yet. Sometimes a prospect is a default two-star (Scout) or unranked (Rivals) because he hasn't been fully evaluated yet. I'm not saying that's the case here, but it could be a possibility.