Is the relationship between Kentucky and DeAndre Williams coming full circle? Back on November 12, the 6-foot-10 sophomore was instrumental in helping the Evansville Aces pull perhaps the greatest upset in Rupp Arena history. He had 9 points and 4 rebounds on the way to the stunning 67-64 decision.
Fast forward to April 20 when the Houston native announced he would be transferring. He immediately became a hit once his name entered the transfer portal. According to an article by Corey Evans earlier this morning, Williams heard from over thirty Division I programs.
But more importantly was the report by Evans of the four schools he is considering that set the Bluegrass ablaze. Kentucky was in the group along with Arkansas, Baylor, and Memphis.
Evans sees Williams as a player who, "brings great size and versatility to the frontcourt, Williams can play a variety of spots and on both sides of the floor. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a block per game last season, while making over 45-percent of his perimeter attempts and 65-percent of his shots from the floor."
Williams played at Nation Wide Academy in Oklahoma City before heading to Evansville. His Head Coach, Kenneth Roy, was the individual who spoke with Evans earlier today, and he was nice enough to go more in-depth about Kentucky's recruitment with Cats Illustrated this afternoon.
Q: DeAndre has an impressive list of finalists and he said over thirty schools were after him. So obviously he is very high in demand.
Roy: "No doubt about it. I felt like if he wasn't in the top five in the portal among the most highly recruited young men then I don't know what to say. Just about every elite Power Five school was on the list calling and calling. It became extremely overwhelming. Im just glad that DeAndre is mature enough to put this to rest, and now we'r down to his final four choices. That's what I love about it, because he's been hands on every step of the way in this process. I've just been guiding him through and helping facilitate. He's been doing a tremendous job narrowing his schools down and getting ready to make his final choice. I'm excited for him, and we're all excited."
Q: Tell us how Kentucky got involved.
Roy: "Honestly, I haven't talked to Caliapri, but he's talking to DeAndre. From my understanding they are going to be calling me to day to speak about DeAndre. Everything is supposed to be going through me first, and then DeAndre. So apparently Calipari as powerful as he is can make things happen. one-hundred percent, and who am I to question Calipari? So he's going to be calling me and we'll talk about it, and I'll find out how he got involved. But I'm sure he's gotten word about everybody that's gotten involved with this young man. He was one who helped beat them, so why wouldn't he want to get involved?"
Q: Has DeAndre said anything to you about what the Kentucky coaches have said to him?
Roy: "They've indicated that they like him. They think that he can be a good piece to the puzzle at Kentucky and play him at the four position. That's what he relayed to me, but I'm waiting to see what Coach Caliapri has to say and go on from there as well. Wherever DeAndre chooses to go it doesn't matter. He's going to perform and he's going to do well. He's an elite talent. I'm not going to be particular about what he chooses. I just want to support him whatever school he chooses. If it's Kentucky, hey, Go Blue."
Q: Do you think going to Rupp and playing against them is something that has stuck out in his mind as far as his recruitment goes? He's basically already taken a visit. He played on their floor. Will that have a bearing?
Roy: "Kentucky alone will have a bearing. You know the mystique of Kentucky. That's everyone's dream school. Come on, you know that. We're taking about Kentucky man. They are the elite of the elite. What have got, five guys going into the lottery? They've got lottery picks every year, more than anyone it seems like over the last five or ten years. So having Kentucky come at you lets you know where you are as far as your basketball talents go. I'm sure that he's excited about that, and hey, anytime you can get the elite of the elite wanting you. That is very impressive."
Q: Describe DeAndre as a player.
Roy: "I think DeAndre is the most unselfish, uncanny 6-10 I've ever seen. The young man on the court makes everybody better. He doesn't force shots. He doesn't try to be overwhelming. He plays within the coach's system. He's going to make the extra pass. He is going to make the right pass. He is going to take the shot he is supposed to take, and that is why his percentages were so good. He did exactly what the coaches wanted him to do. That's how he played the game."
Williams did enter his name into the NBA Draft earlier in the spring. We didn't ask Coach Roy about that at the present time since Evans covered that subject thoroughly this morning.
"While he was unable to take any visits throughout the transfer process due to the coronavirus, Williams is expected to make his commitment later in the week. He had also entered his name into the NBA Draft last month. Unless he hears the appropriate feedback that would equate to a draft selection, Williams should likely be found on a college campus in the fall."
Coach Roy, DeAndre, and his family will sit down and discuss the recruitment after he speaks with Calipari later today. Roy says he expects things to move pretty quickly from there and come to a conclusion within a week.
We will have more on where things stand after todays happenings. As always, stay tuned to Cats Illustrated for the latest in Big Blue Basketball recruiting.
Fast forward to April 20 when the Houston native announced he would be transferring. He immediately became a hit once his name entered the transfer portal. According to an article by Corey Evans earlier this morning, Williams heard from over thirty Division I programs.
But more importantly was the report by Evans of the four schools he is considering that set the Bluegrass ablaze. Kentucky was in the group along with Arkansas, Baylor, and Memphis.
Evans sees Williams as a player who, "brings great size and versatility to the frontcourt, Williams can play a variety of spots and on both sides of the floor. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a block per game last season, while making over 45-percent of his perimeter attempts and 65-percent of his shots from the floor."
Williams played at Nation Wide Academy in Oklahoma City before heading to Evansville. His Head Coach, Kenneth Roy, was the individual who spoke with Evans earlier today, and he was nice enough to go more in-depth about Kentucky's recruitment with Cats Illustrated this afternoon.
Q: DeAndre has an impressive list of finalists and he said over thirty schools were after him. So obviously he is very high in demand.
Roy: "No doubt about it. I felt like if he wasn't in the top five in the portal among the most highly recruited young men then I don't know what to say. Just about every elite Power Five school was on the list calling and calling. It became extremely overwhelming. Im just glad that DeAndre is mature enough to put this to rest, and now we'r down to his final four choices. That's what I love about it, because he's been hands on every step of the way in this process. I've just been guiding him through and helping facilitate. He's been doing a tremendous job narrowing his schools down and getting ready to make his final choice. I'm excited for him, and we're all excited."
Q: Tell us how Kentucky got involved.
Roy: "Honestly, I haven't talked to Caliapri, but he's talking to DeAndre. From my understanding they are going to be calling me to day to speak about DeAndre. Everything is supposed to be going through me first, and then DeAndre. So apparently Calipari as powerful as he is can make things happen. one-hundred percent, and who am I to question Calipari? So he's going to be calling me and we'll talk about it, and I'll find out how he got involved. But I'm sure he's gotten word about everybody that's gotten involved with this young man. He was one who helped beat them, so why wouldn't he want to get involved?"
Q: Has DeAndre said anything to you about what the Kentucky coaches have said to him?
Roy: "They've indicated that they like him. They think that he can be a good piece to the puzzle at Kentucky and play him at the four position. That's what he relayed to me, but I'm waiting to see what Coach Caliapri has to say and go on from there as well. Wherever DeAndre chooses to go it doesn't matter. He's going to perform and he's going to do well. He's an elite talent. I'm not going to be particular about what he chooses. I just want to support him whatever school he chooses. If it's Kentucky, hey, Go Blue."
Q: Do you think going to Rupp and playing against them is something that has stuck out in his mind as far as his recruitment goes? He's basically already taken a visit. He played on their floor. Will that have a bearing?
Roy: "Kentucky alone will have a bearing. You know the mystique of Kentucky. That's everyone's dream school. Come on, you know that. We're taking about Kentucky man. They are the elite of the elite. What have got, five guys going into the lottery? They've got lottery picks every year, more than anyone it seems like over the last five or ten years. So having Kentucky come at you lets you know where you are as far as your basketball talents go. I'm sure that he's excited about that, and hey, anytime you can get the elite of the elite wanting you. That is very impressive."
Q: Describe DeAndre as a player.
Roy: "I think DeAndre is the most unselfish, uncanny 6-10 I've ever seen. The young man on the court makes everybody better. He doesn't force shots. He doesn't try to be overwhelming. He plays within the coach's system. He's going to make the extra pass. He is going to make the right pass. He is going to take the shot he is supposed to take, and that is why his percentages were so good. He did exactly what the coaches wanted him to do. That's how he played the game."
Williams did enter his name into the NBA Draft earlier in the spring. We didn't ask Coach Roy about that at the present time since Evans covered that subject thoroughly this morning.
"While he was unable to take any visits throughout the transfer process due to the coronavirus, Williams is expected to make his commitment later in the week. He had also entered his name into the NBA Draft last month. Unless he hears the appropriate feedback that would equate to a draft selection, Williams should likely be found on a college campus in the fall."
Coach Roy, DeAndre, and his family will sit down and discuss the recruitment after he speaks with Calipari later today. Roy says he expects things to move pretty quickly from there and come to a conclusion within a week.
We will have more on where things stand after todays happenings. As always, stay tuned to Cats Illustrated for the latest in Big Blue Basketball recruiting.
