Much hype has been made of the recruiting class brought in by head coach Joanne P. McCallie for the 2010-11 season.
Let it now begin again for 2011-12. Elizabeth Williams, the No. 2 player in the Class of 2011 according to ESPN’s Hoopgurlz.com, will sign a letter of intent to play at Duke, the Virginia Beach, Va., native told The Chronicle yesterday.
“I’m really happy with my decision,” said the 6-foot-3 center. “I feel great. I definitely went with my gut, prayed about it and it felt right for me. [Duke] had the factors I was looking for.”
Williams said she had recently narrowed her choices down to two schools, Duke and Tennessee, and the decision to turn down legendary coach Pat Summitt’s program was a hard one. While playing for Team USA in the FIBA U17 World Championships this summer, she also competed with—and befriended—several future Tennessee recruits, further complicating the call to choose Duke.
Still, she couldn’t pass up the chance to play under McCallie—and occupy a frontcourt that loses Krystal Thomas after this season and returns only Allison Vernerey.
“[Tennessee has] won so many championships, and I got close with other recruits while playing for the FIBA team this summer,” Williams said. “But I still think that I made the right decision.”
The Associated Press and Gatorade State Player of the Year for Virginia, Williams brings a complete and polished game for a post player. She’s a shot-blocking force, swatting 172 shots as a junior at Princess Anne High School. She’s also a standout on the offensive side of the court, averaging 16.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last year.
Perhaps the most impressive bullet on her resume, Williams has won gold medals for the United States with the FIBA U16 and U17 teams.
“I’m a smart player, a team player. I just like to win,” she said.
Born in England, Williams is the daughter of Nigerian-born parents. She grew up playing soccer and didn’t pick up basketball until the age of nine. Once she began playing basketball, though, she quickly dropped the pitch for good in favor of the hardwood. According to Williams, her soccer background is still evident—especially in her footwork in the paint.
Williams is also the daughter of a doctor, and she cited Duke’s medical facilities as being a factor in the decision.
“Academics are really important to me,” Williams said. “And I love the people and the environment [at Duke]. It’s just such a great place.”
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