Outside the Potomac region, the name Nyree Williams may not be prevalent. But the Howard High School (Ellicott City, Md.) star was one of the most widely recruited juniors in the area. She recently gave a verbal commitment to North Carolina on an unofficial visit.
The 6-foot-1 Williams was considering several schools -- including Connecticut, Florida, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, George Washington, LSU, Pitt, Syracuse, Temple, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest – before finally deciding to commit to the Tar Heels.
"The first time Nyree came into the gym with us last March the first thing I noticed about her was her broad shoulders, her wiry-strong build and those long arms," James Nichols, her club team coach (Team Unique), said. "Once we got to working, the next thing I noticed was how laterally and vertically quick she was, how fast she was and how physical she was."
Nyree Williams readies a free-throw.
Photo by Mark Sutton.
Although Williams was raw in skill development, Nichols says her determination and effort made her an immediate impact player. He sees Williams developing into a player similar to current Tar Heel, LaToya Pringle. Williams lines up as a forward with her high school and club teams, but with her slashing ability and incredible athleticism she can be a multiposition player in college.
"The most impressive thing about Nyree last club season was that she improved so rapidly over the four months," Nichols said. "[She has improved] more than any girl who's ever come through the Team Unique program over the same period of time in her skill development and her mental approach."
North Carolina loaded up with an incredible trio of guard recruits -- including two All-Americans in Chay Shegog and She'la White -- in 2008. Shegog is an accomplished interior scorer, and White is a heady and super quick point guard. Those two compliment UNC's third recruit, Candace Wood, who is one of the best long-range shooters in the country.
Williams brings an element that the Heels don't have in either of their past two classes: an incredible athlete at the swing position. Without any further development, Williams brings length, quickness, rebounding and shot blocking to the court.
Typically players committing early feel a sense of relief from the recruiting pressures. Williams, however, was focused on going at her own pace and not allowing pressure to affect her decision. In fact, she points to the lack for pressure from coach Sylvia Hatchell as a reason she chose North Carolina.
Williams hit it off with two current players, Rashanda McCants and Pringle, on an unofficial visit. The two will both have graduated when Williams reaches Chapel Hill and their big shoes will be there waiting to be filled.
