Recruiting Report: Malea Williams (2020)
Malea Williams is one of the most highly recruited Seniors in Kentucky and arguably the best player available in the 2020 class in Kentucky. At 6’4, she can score the ball inside and out. Her best basketball is all ahead…
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Continue ReadingMalea Williams is one of the most highly recruited Seniors in Kentucky and arguably the best player available in the 2020 class in Kentucky. At 6’4, she can score the ball inside and out. Her best basketball is all ahead of her as she continues to develop her game. I recently was able to catch up with the Scott County forward and discuss her game, her recruiting and her future. Williams considers herself an entertaining watch when she is on the court. She told me, “I’m fun to watch. I’m really goofy on the court but I still know when to be serious.I make smart plays and have a lot of fun playing the game and I think people realize that.” When I asked Malea to identify her strengths as a player, she informed me, “I’m 6’4 with a 6’7 wingspan. I shoot the 3 ball well. My defense is pretty good. I’m almost dunking and I block shots. College coaches tell me they like my athleticism and versatility.”
Moving forward, Williams thinks that her height gets her mislabeled as a post player. She told me, “I’m not really a post player. Sometimes I get away with a hook shot but as far as height and footwork, I don’t have that. My vertical and ball handling could use work but I can handle the ball. Coming out of her 17u AAU season with Kentucky Premier on the EYBL, Williams told me she had a fantastic season. “AAU was amazing. I love meeting new people and people my size or bigger because it is abnormal to see girls 6 feet tall or taller. Everyone on the team was great, including the players and all the staff.” Coming out of a very successful AAU season, Williams is shifting her focus to her senior season at Scott County and the recruitment process as she hopes to find the right place for her to play in college.
Williams has 15 D1 scholarship offers at this point. Her offer list consists of: NKU, Cincinnati, St. Johns, Austin Peay, Boston, Georgia, Dayton, Southern Mississippi, Florida Atlantic, East Carolina, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Marshall, Syracuse and Illinois. I asked her if she had a favorite at this time but Malea indicated she doesn’t yet, “A lot of schools are amazing. I’m still open and taking visits. Hopefully I’ll go where I belong.” She also told me that she has yet to schedule her recruiting visits but that she is working with her mom to get some trips scheduled. In the meantime, the Miss Basketball candidate is thinking about what she can do to to improve her game for her Senior season. She told me, “I’m working to get stronger mentally and physically, get my grades up and be more active in the paint. I’m currently working to break some school records.” Scott County will likely be the favorite to get back to Rupp Arena from the 11th region and Malea will be the likely Miss Basketball nominee from the 11th. If she can turn the corner and become the dominant force she appears she can be, the Lady Cards cannot be counted out as big time contenders to win the State Championship in March.