May 7, 2009
Home away from home for Williams
Sierra High’s Christian Williams lived in Jackson, Mississippi until moving to the Manteca area after the seventh grade. Now, after multiple suitors including two local schools, the 6-foot-1, 175 pound guard is returning there to play college basketball.
Williams proves you can go home again
It wasn’t an easy decision -- it never is when there are multiple suitors -- but the Sierra High guard felt a tug from the past and decided that Jackson State University was the right place for him to continue his basketball and academic education.
"I have a lot of family there and it will be a good place to finish," the 6-foot-1, 175 pound Williams said. "But it was a tough decision and I definitely had a big feeling of relief after deciding."
Pacific and Sacramento State were the primary competitors for Jackson State, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
His recruiting trip also played a factor in Williams’ decision. "When I went down to Jackson, I met the others players and was shown around. It seemed like a family environment and that kind of helped in my decision."
How did the Tiger coaching staff become aware of a prospect so many states and over 2,000 miles away? "They received some game films of me, liked what they saw and contacted me," according to Williams.
He is expecting to be quarterbacking the Jackson State team and soon. "They want me to play the point," Williams said.
Jackson State Associate Head Coach Eric Strothers had this to say about his newest player: "Guards dribble, pass and shoot and most of the time can do two of those things. Christian is good at all three. He has a good chance to play a lot right away,"
Strother added, "Once I got to know him, I found him to be a great and personable kid."
Jackson State played in a tournament in Las Vegas in addition to facing Cal and UC Davis on the road not too long ago so chances are good that the Williams entourage in Manteca will get an in-person viewing of their relative playing college basketball.
Jackson State’s sophomore-to-be Rod Melvin racked up over 100 assists this past season and was recently named the SWAC freshman of the year. But he is moving from the point to shooting guard in 2009-2010. It looks like Melvin, fellow soph Phillip Williams and now Christian Williams will make up Jackson State’s backcourt rotation in the coming season.
Also, Head Coach Tevester Anderson just received a contract extension through 2012, thereby cementing that Williams will play for one coach throughout college. Jackson State won the SWAC in 2007 and finished second in 2008-2009, losing to Alabama State in the championship game.
Williams closed his interview with, "I want to thank God, my family, all the coaching staffs and my friends who have helped me through the years."