'09 MN SG/SF Rodney Williams (Minnesota Verbal)

[badgerbasketball33]

Thats why I said its a bad situation to be in...but It's also a good one too.....We are almost guaranteed a player out of this mess

[cyismydog]

I am actually hoping you guys get Jamil, so then maybe Rodney will go to Iowa State. ;-)

[cyismydog]

BTW, why do you guys think you will have available schollies next year? Will they be pulled, or is somebody planning on transferring?

[OnWisconsin07]

The available scholarship is speculation due to our still very heavy recruiting of players such as Royce White (MN commit) and Jamil Wilson. I know we have also continued to be in contact with other 2009 players as well. The logic is that we would not be on these guys quite as hard if we believed we were done with the 2009 class.

In addition, a few insiders have leaked that they feel there will still be a spot for Jamil. This could happen in a number of ways including a transfer, academic issues, pulling a scholarship, a guy reverting to walk-on, etc.

Also, not sure who the source is for Rodney Williams being a UW lean with ISU a close 2nd. The last article I read he said that possibly his favorite are UW, MN, and Miami. Not sure that I have ever read anything in regards to ISU being among his top schools.....guess I would like to know the source on this one.

[Bernini]

I think we would continue to recruit '09'ers even if all our spots were legitimately filled, just to cover our bases; it's our reported intensity of recruitment with each prospect that's the telling factor another scholarship will likely become available. They know something we don't know. Whether it's Gavinski waiving his scholarship, a player seriously considering transferring, etc.

I agree with Komacki. If Rodney Williams has his grades in order, and he wants to become a Badger, his wishes would probably be granted. He's a special enough talent not to bypass an opportunity to acquire, if his grades are in order, and Jamil didn't silent first.

[Bernini]

White Commitment Could Help Sway Williams

4/25
by Myron Medcalf

Good things could come in twos for the University of Minnesota men's basketball team after Royce White's decision to commit verbally to Minnesota. Rodney Williams, the state's other top junior, said Wednesday that his AAU teammate's decision has moved the Gophers up on his personal list. But Williams, who led Cooper to the state Class 4A tournament this winter, said he'll continue to look at other schools this summer. Williams, considered one of the nation's top recruits, is also drawing interest from Wisconsin, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Purdue.
"(White's verbal commitment) makes it more of a top school," Williams, a 6-foot-4 guard, said of Minnesota.
White said he's going to do his best to lure Williams to Minnesota. Both players will be freshman during the 2009-10 season.
Landing both White and Williams would accomplish two goals that past Gophers coaches have struggled with: keeping the state's best players home and getting them early.
"I'm definitely going to try to persuade him to come here," White, a 6-7 forward, said.

[Bernini]

Minneapolis-Star Tribune

4/29

Once again, rumors surrounding Rodney Williams began flying recently. This time, the Robbinsdale Cooper junior was supposedly ready to verbally commit to a school in the coming weeks, after good friend Royce White verbally committed to the Gophers last week.
Williams, however, said earlier this week that the rumors aren't true. He does not plan to commit to a school until his senior year.

[cyismydog]

Can anybody summarize the scout article about Rodney at the Jayhawk Invitational? Thanks.

[Bernini]

Rodney Williams Pure Highlights (from last night's Jayhawk invitational)

Holy Crap! I've seen players who were that quick, and I've seen players who were that explosive off the ground; but I've maybe never seen a player with his combination. He's going to be a terror on cuts to the basket at the next level. If you sleep on him for a millisecond he can sneak around you and make it to the goal before shot blockers can react. Off the dribble, even though his jump shot is marginal, he probably can get by on occasion on shear quickness. Defending, his lateral quickness allowed him to matter of factly remain in front of his opponent. Passing ability is tough to gauge on a highlight video, but he exhibited some great court vision.

Rodney Williams appears to be a GREAT talent. Get your academic house in order, kid.

According to Scout.com, Williams scored inside and out (hit 4-5 3's) on his way to 27 points. He's currently hearing from Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa St., Purdue, Miami, and Iowa.

[cyismydog]

Wow, whoever gets him, he sounds like a great, great, get. Rumor has it, Verdell Jones is going to committ to Minnesota Monday, leaving them only one scholarship for next year, besides Royce White.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Wow, whoever gets him, he sounds like a great, great, get. Rumor has it, Verdell Jones is going to committ to Minnesota Monday, leaving them only one scholarship for next year, besides Royce White.

I don't know how that affects their recruitment of Williams, if at all. They don't play the same position. Looking at their '09 prospect list, there doesn't appear to be a top player who they are a favorite for other than Williams. So I'd say they're still very much in the game. More so that Wisconsin certainly, who doesn't technically have a scholarship to grant.

[cyismydog]

Whoever gets Williams will be really lucky...go to youtube, and look him up at the Jayhawk invitational.
BTW, recently he said he won't decide until Spring of his senior year, most likely. He said it on a sports radio station.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Whoever gets Williams will be really lucky...go to youtube, and look him up at the Jayhawk invitational.
BTW, recently he said he won't decide until Spring of his senior year, most likely. He said it on a sports radio station.

In other words, when programs will be able to give an unconditional offer, because they've found out he actually qualified. Which might work in favor of the Cyclones. By then, most of your major programs will have scholarships filled unless a player unexpectedly declared early for the draft. And I can't imagine who will announce that intention from the Gophers.

[cyismydog]

What you don't think Lawrence Mckenzie and Al Nolen will sudenly announce for the NBA draft? lol