If Donald Williams’ coach has his way, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard will go to St. John’s and not Marquette.
“I would rather him sign with St. John’s because they need him more than Marquette does,” Russell Branch of Temple Hills (Md.) Progressive Christian School said Wednesday by phone. “The better fit would be St. John’s because of more playing time for the kid.”
Williams is currently visiting St. John’s, Branch said, and will then travel to see Marquette next week. Despite offers from other schools (UAB and New Orleans), Branch said Williams will choose between the two Big East schools.
“It’s between St. John’s and Marquette,” Branch said.
Branch compared Williams to Ray Allen and Wally Szczerbiak, adding that Williams averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals last year as Progressive Christian went 42-7.
“He’s very athletic,” Branch said. “He could put it on the floor better than Wally Szczerbiak. He can shoot the (stuff) out of the ball. He can help St. John’s.”
Branch said that Williams was qualified to play next season.
The Progressive Christian roster features several Division I commits as well as others still being courted by high majors. Branch said Dante Harvey, a 6-7, 210-pound wing, will choose between Kentucky and Kansas State and is slated to visit Kentucky later this week.
“Right now he’s in the same boat,” Branch said of Harvey, whom he said averaged 16 points and 16 rebounds. “He’s trying to figure out which one is best for him.”
