The focus on his basketball future is clear, but Williams is clueless on IMG’s next opponent.
“I have no idea who we play next,” he admitted after delivering 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in a 70-57 thumping of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) during Friday’s opening doubleheader of the 15th annual Premier Health Flyin’ to the Hoop at Trent Arena.
“I don’t know the schedule, I just be ready to play.”
That’s a good MO for Williams and his barn-storming peers throughout Preps-School Nation. The games are plentiful, the matchups an intriguing mix of prep powers and tradition-rich local high schools throughout the country. That’s what lures teams like IMG to venture here.
“It is different,” said Williams, a Fort Meyers resident who hadn’t heard of IMG until contacted by the school. “We travel so much. We’re here (on Friday) and we’ll be at Massachusetts (Saturday morning). We play like a college schedule, jumping around and everything. It’s kind of new for us but we enjoy it.”
Williams and his teammates were a hit with wide-eyed youth afterward, posing endlessly for selfies and exchanging words of encouragement. IMG (17-1) plays Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) on Sunday at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Last season Wayne defeated IMG and Trice at Flyin’, 68-58.
“It’s very cool to come here,” Williams said. “I love the way the fans treat us. The little guys, they look up to us and we thank them coming out to support us. We love coming here and showing our talent.”