Partial List of
Colleges and Universities actively recruiting our Sports U/Team IZOD
players
_____________________________
UVA, Richmond, U
of Mami, Providence, Seton Hall, Fordham, Hofstra, Penn State, St.
Bonaventure, Siena, Robert Morris, Colgate, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Boston
University, Oregon State University, Marist, St. Joe's, Princeton,
American University, Catholic University, NJIT, Alabama A & M, Norfolk
State, UNC-Central, Bloomfield, Dillard University, Oklahoma City
University, Gannon, Savannah State, Morgan State, St. Francis, Florida
Atlantic, Tampa, CW Post, Georgetown College, Stony Brook, Kennesaw State,
Maryland Baltimore-County, Wagner, Delaware, Fordham, Marist, George
Mason, Quinnipiac, UNC Wilmington, George Mason, Colgate & Lafayette
University
Sports U 2009 15 and
Under Team
Sports U 2009 16 and
Under Team
EKB Scouting Lecture Part 1
EKB Scouting Lecture 2
Sports University Juggernaut Derrick Williams Accepts Scholarship to
University of Richmond
Recently, the Sports University/Team IZOD AAU
program met one of its core goals in helping its student athletes
secure a scholarship to college. Derrick WIlliams joined Sports
University in the spring of April 2009 and played for its 17 and under
team. He recently, verbally committed to the prestigious academic and
Atlantic 10 school, the University of Richmond. The 2010 St. Anthony,
Jersey City forward decided on the University of Richmond after being
heavily yrecruited by several other schools including Oklahoma State,
Providence, St. Bonaventure, Temple, Fordham, Missouri and Hofstra.
The massive 6'7" 245 lbs Mr. Williams was the workhorse of the squad
doing the dirty and often unappreciated rebounding and shot blocking
inside the paint as well as being a match up problem on the perimeter
against bigger players who guarded him.
Derrick helped the team reach the championship of Rumble In The Bronx
and Hoop Group Fall Classic and earned All Tournament status along the
way. Derrick is not only a NJhoops.com Top 10 ( ranked 8 in NJ) Senior
basketball player, he also is an excellent student. He maintains a 3.8
GPA and serves as the student council treasurer for the senior class
at St. Anthony's. Derrick WIlliams is the first of many student
athletes that the Sports University/Team IZOD program will see going
to the next level.
Mr. Williams espouses the ideals and
characteristics that Team IZOD prides itself on. The future Spider
took some time out to discuss his Sports University experience, St.
Anthony's and the recruiting process.
Q.
What made you come play for Sports
University?
A.
I was tired of sitting on the bench with my previous AAU team and I
wanted to further develop my skills. The Sports University/Team IZOD
program not only offered me the opportunity to play at
a high level but I had a played
previously with some of the players which made for an easy transition.
Q.
What is your fondest memory of your AAU
experience with Sports University?
A.
My fondest memory has to be the car and van rides because we wouldn't stop
laughing but once we entered the building we were going to battle and the
smiles where wiped off and it was time to handle business. Coach made sure
we all understood that and I would reinforce that to the team.
Q.
You have played for a couple of
prestigious AAU programs, what appealed to you about Sports University?
A.
I liked the style of play and I felt as a player my game would develop,
and I also noticed that if I made a mistake on the court I wasn’t subbed
out right away. I was able to learn from my mistake and continue playing
which increased my confidence and basketball IQ.
Q.
How has your game developed over the
past year?
A.
I am no longer strictly a “block” player I have expanded my game as far as
my ball handling, shooting and footwork. I have become a combo forward
that presents match up problems for the opposing team.
Q.
What made you choose Richmond?
A.
What made me pick Richmond were the
academics,
coaching staff, and the current players as well as the other incoming
freshman. On my visit I got to not only spend time with the current
players but also the 2 guards who would be coming in with me next year. I
especially liked and bonded with the Point Guard from DC and feel like we
could do some special things at Richmond if we continue to get pieces to
surround us.
Q.
What do you plan on majoring in college?
A.
I plan on majoring in Psychology.
Q.
What kind of player do you see yourself
as in college?
A.
I see myself as an immediate impact player that will help the team from
the jump and contribute greatly on and off the court.
Q.
You are part of a legendary program at
St. Anthony's and play for a future Hall of Fame coach. How has the
coaching and experience at St. Anthony’s helped your development as a
player and person?
A.
It has helped me tremendously from being more focused to developing my IQ
on the court and fueling my passion for basketball. St Anthony’s helped me
to be a better young man and to handle my responsibilities better.
Q.
You seem to have focused on your
academics maintaining a 3.8 GPA while also being a premier athlete. What
would you tell youth who are talented athletes about the importance of
academics? Who instilled this in you?
A.
I would tell other athletes never give up on their academics, stay
focused, study and don't be ashamed of asking for help. Utilize your
coaches if you feel shy about going to teachers and if your coaches are
not willing to help then you know you are in the wrong program. No matter
how far you feel you are behind, when the walls have built up all around
you and no one likes you and it feels like everyone in your life has
turned there back on you, never give up and keep that hunger and passion
for whatever you want to do. The person that influenced me was my father
because he’s determined that I get a great education because he himself
didn’t go to college.
Q.
You were very mature and deliberate
during the recruiting process. Who has been instrumental in getting you to
this point and helping you through the recruiting process? Was the process
difficult?
A.
Well my family has helped me as far as supporting me on my decision but my
father and Coach Eric of Sports University helped me as well. Was it
difficult? Yes it was it’s a major decision you would have to make and
live with for the next 4 years of your life.
Q.
You travel pretty far to school everyday
from Staten Island to Jersey City, what has that been like? What made you
make such a commitment? Would you recommend other young men to make such a
commitment to attend St. Anthony’s?
A.
I play for one of the greatest coaches in basketball history that’s what
keeps me going everyday. The winning inspiration you get from walking in
the school will make you want to come back. There is no other coach in the
world that would develop you mentally, physically and skillfully than
Coach Bob Hurley, Sr.
Q.
Would you recommend the Sports
University program to other players who are looking to get to the next
level? How has Sports University helped prepare you for your senior season
and college recruiting?
A.
HELL YES. With the drills that the Sports U program put me through I have
developed my ball handling, shooting range and decision making on the
court. I would also recommend this program for the training they offer you
to make it to the next level. The role models that the Sports U staff are
continually take the time to explain to me that basketball is just a tool
to be used to achieve the larger goal of getting an education and becoming
a productive and influential member of the community, whether that's in
school, with my peers or in my neighborhood.
Q.
What would you like to do when your
basketball career is over?
A.
I would like to become a counselor for troubled youth and have my own
youth center.
Q.
Anything else you would like to add?
A.
I'm glad that I decided to become a part of the Sports University program
and the first player to receive an athletic scholarship but my work is not
done with Sports University yet. We still have to go back to IS8 in the
Spring and win a championship, which would be the perfect end to my AAU
experience and icing on the cake after winning the Tournament of Champions
at St. Anthony's.
