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PPU talked with Brandon Williams & got LOTS of info for Wildcat fans
All the info below was originally posted in the Miller went on a special visit to see Brandon Williams last night thread here (http://playersprogramu.com/arizona-wildcats-basketball-recruiting/miller-went-on-a-special-visit-to-see-brandon-williams-last-night/msg10972/)
Part 1 (Originally posted on 4/30/18 08:24am)
I was able to talk to Williams a couple of times in the past week or so. I asked him if he was going to have a final 2. He said his next announcement would be his final one & would be his team. I joked & asked if he was going to make an announcement on when his announcement would be & he said that yes he was actually going to announce the date he's picking his team, so we'll all know the exact date he'll make his announcement soon.
I asked him about what he thought about the 247sports predictions (They're all picking Oregon) & he said that they're wrong & have no clue who he's going to pick. Williams said 247sports makes their predictions after they talk to the players & he said he doesn't talk to any of the 247 guys.
Williams just got done with his Gonzaga visit & I'll be posting a more on what he had to say after his last visit later today.
Part 2 (This was posted just after Williams announced May 5th as his announcement date)
BWill's final visit at Gonzaga has now come and gone and now we just have to wait for him to decide. Like we said above Williams has made an announcement of his announcement, lol. He's announcing who his team will be on Saturday May 5 at 3:30. Let's get to the rest of what Williams had to say.
I asked BWill about his twitter post of his top 3 schools. In that post he had background music with lyrics that Wildcat fans quickly picked apart. The lyrics said "that's my top 3 in the order" Williams said that Arizona just happened to be the first team that was shown and thought it was crazy how deep people were looking into it.
I asked Brandon what he liked best about Arizona, Oregon, & Gonzaga. He answered the question by telling me what he liked about Arizona & didn't say anything about Oregon or Gonzaga. He did mention that Oregon players Bol Bol & Miles are constantly texting him like crazy trying to recruit him to the Ducks. While I was talking with him a report came out that he had committed to the Zags. He immediately asked who was saying this and said he did not commit to the Zags contrary to the reports.
Finally, I asked him what school he was going to pick. He said that he really doesn't know what school he's going to pick. He did say that his parents might want him to go to a certain school, but in the end he's going to pick the school that he wants to go to.
Part 3 (DWIZZ pointed out that I forgot to add what BWill said he liked about Arizona)
I don't know how I missed adding that. I asked Williams, what do you like best about Arizona, Oregon, & Gonzaga? He only answered about Arizona saying. "What I like best about UofA is that the players and coaches treat me like family." and did not answer what he liked best of the other 2 teams. I also asked who his favorite player ever was at Arizona. He said it was Stanley Johnson and then added or maybe Gilbert Arenas.
Part 4 (A little more info on BWill)
I know this is late, but the one positive that Williams said about Gonzaga was that Mark Few was funny. Like funny in a way where he's not trying to be funny, but he was just naturally funny. He said everyone knows someone who's like that. Brandon Williams told me his official nickname according to him is BWILL. I asked Williams what he thought of Arizona's latest commit Justin Coleman and he said that he didn't know much about him and had never seen him play. Asked who he gets along with most on the current Arizona roster & he said Ira Lee & Brandon Randolph are the players he's closest to on the team. When I asked Williams if he thought he was a 1 & done he said "if it takes 1 year it takes 1 year & if it takes 4 years then I'll be in school all 4 years."
If I remember anything else I may have missed I'll be sure to post it here.
When I hear a recruit refers a team as "family". That tends to be the team the recruit usually picks.
Yes, and he has said much of his relationship with SM in the past. I think this back off and look around was a chance for things to settle out a bit and for him to clear his mind that he makes the right choice. Family wanted that especially after the espn story broke. Now that a little time has passed he has a clear vision of his future.
In the end he cannot go wrong with any of the three schools.
I believe his heart is still in Arizona.
The relationship with SM is still strong.
He has close friends on Oregon and Arizona so that won't be the deciding factor.
Does anyone else find it odd that Brandon Williams did not come out and deny the reports from ESPN & the score (ESPN took there tweet down & the score still has there's up) that he committed to Gonzaga? You'd think he would've been quick to squash that like he did when people were starting to say he committed to Oregon after he posted a pick in a duck jersey. I truly believe that the schools themselves don't even know who he's going to pic. He's done a good job of keeping everyone guessing. I keep changing my mind about who he's going to pick. Leaning Gonzaga right now.
All things even it is Arizona hands down!
The crap story made him think and look around.
Now, it comes down to what he thinks about that situation and if he trusts and believes SM.
If not for yhat situation he is still a Wildcat along with several others of the elite status.
Brandon Williams step father previewed Saturdays commitment announcement in a 247sports article below, but you have to have VIP access to read it. Does anyone here have VIP for 247? If so can you summarize what it says? I know it's probably stuff we already know, but I'm just curious.
https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Father-of-five-star-Brandon-Williams-previews-Saturday-commitment-117940409?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=180503_115907_Oregon%20Ducks&utm_content=Image&liveconnect=CF-CC-CB-BF-80-08-4B-B9-98-26-12-D2-D6-DC-B7-49180503_115907OregonDucks
Quote from: DWIZZ on May 03, 2018, 10:53:52 AM
Brandon Williams step father previewed Saturdays commitment announcement in a 247sports article below, but you have to have VIP access to read it. Does anyone here have VIP for 247? If so can you summarize what it says? I know it's probably stuff we already know, but I'm just curious.
https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Father-of-five-star-Brandon-Williams-previews-Saturday-commitment-117940409?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=180503_115907_Oregon%20Ducks&utm_content=Image&liveconnect=CF-CC-CB-BF-80-08-4B-B9-98-26-12-D2-D6-DC-B7-49180503_115907OregonDucks
Main points are: (Only PPU Members can see the info below)
[hide login=1]"Brandon is really torn up about it," Wright said of his son's upcoming decision. "I can see it in his face. He doesn't want to say no to anyone. He really likes all three schools."
"We'll look at it as well from a best-fit and most comfort that we have for each school, and that will play into the decision of where he'll go. We're looking at it all," said Wright. "I actually have on the point system an area of what school we feel the safest at for his development."
"We are looking at what they are going to be like in 2018 when he's a freshman, but Brandon is also going to be a kid that's going to need two or maybe three years in college before he can think about moving on to the next level," said Wright. "What will Oregon look like in 2019? What does Gonzaga look like after they lose Josh Perkins? Is Arizona going to rebound quickly? We are taking it all into consideration."
Also said they'll make their decision on Wednesday or Thursday and call all coaches and let them know. Won't announce publicly until Sat.
[/hide]
And Williams just tweeted out a CAT emoji! Expect him to tweet out a dog and then a duck soon and if he doesn't...
https://twitter.com/TheeBWill/status/992163636406771712
he deleted it....hmmmmmm
Here's the screen shot of his deleted tweet. He was deciding on his school choice today with his family. Was this a sign for Wildcat fans?
(https://image.ibb.co/jxfXdn/20180503_160757.jpg)
That tweet was a sign of a prospect realizing that we (fans) hang on to their every word/move/post and try to decipher it.
I want the kid to commit already so that we know who's left on the board and go after.
I honestly feel like the ONLY reason B Will decommitted in the first place was just to give himself a safety net. He needed to have backup options ready and available in the event that the Arizona opportunity was totally destroyed by ESPN after their story. There could have been a mass exodus of players filing out and no recruiting whatsoever. However, the situation at U of A hasn't turned into a post-apocalyptic wasteland as was projected. In his heart of hearts, he has been a Wildcat fan for years and has dreamt of playing here. So as long as he is confident, from what he's being told, that U of A is a stable destination for at least 2 years, then I absolutely believe he will be coming back.
He still hasn't decided yet
https://twitter.com/MattGOAZCATS/status/992276344007311360
(https://image.ibb.co/bV0Gon/IMG_20180503_215815.jpg)
We will know where BW is going to go before he announces on Saturday!
Big props to Matt Moreno for getting this. Listen to what BWill says here.
https://twitter.com/MattGOAZCATS/status/992283239388622854
https://twitter.com/TheeBWill/status/992407072028278784
Wow, All the reporters for azdesertswarm just predicted BWILL to choose Arizona tomorrow. See the article below.
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2018/5/4/17304412/brandon-williams-arizona-gonzaga-oregon-predictions-commitment-date-announcement-time-tv-stream
I'm hearing the reason it's taking Williams & his family so long to decide is because Williams dad wants him to choose Gonzaga. Few went all out & threw a catered dinner at his house for the BWILL & his family. Few's house is on top of a mountain with a negative edge pool. Here's a quote from his dad on the Gonzaga visit "The whole team was there and it just showed the family environment. Everybody is just together all the time and it's a family feel. We have never experienced anything like that before on a visit."
Williams hinted at this right after I talked to him when he said his parents might want him to pick a certain team, but he's going to pick who he wants.
Right. His friends at Oregon are saying come to Oregon. His dad is saying go to Gonzaga. His heart is in Tucson. His brain is in Tucson. So going back to what he said earlier he will make the final decision where he goes. Sure lots of pushing and pulling, but he knows what he wants and that should prevail.
https://twitter.com/MattGOAZCATS/status/992449432607080448
Brandon, this is YOUR life to live, make YOUR decision.
Even if it isn't Arizona, and you go to Oregon, make your choice so you don't live your life wondering what could have been had you chose your choice.
Matt is a great guy but I would not sink a lot into that 20%. I know we have not fared well where parents were involved in the past, but every case is different. If the league is the goal then SM is the man. The relationship is solid. And yes, anything can happen but if BW makes the final decision then I gotta believe is head and heart will bring him to Tucson.
Quote from: Little George on May 04, 2018, 12:47:21 PM
Matt is a great guy but I would not sink a lot into that 20%. I know we have not fared well where parents were involved in the past, but every case is different. If the league is the goal then SM is the man. The relationship is solid. And yes, anything can happen but if BW makes the final decision then I gotta believe is head and heart will bring him to Tucson.
the 20% is the similar with 29% on 247
I get the vibe that Matt is a good guy too, but I also get the vibe that he's better connected with football than basketball.
Quote from: Tucsandman on May 04, 2018, 01:53:42 PM
I get the vibe that Matt is a good guy too, but I also get the vibe that he's better connected with football than basketball.
He is! Not a knock on him either as he is a great guy.
If BW picks Gonzaga it will be his step fathers push. If he chooses Oregon it will a combination of other influences. If he chooses Arizona it will be where his head and heart have led him. Anything other than Arizona is being influenced by others, mainly family. One good think is there is no money involved.
Latest from the Star: http://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/pascoe/article_3281427a-4fe2-11e8-9539-bbc34b78716f.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&id=201408
Here's a recent Interview with Sharene Ryan of Zonazealots. Kinda odd that Williams talks Gonzaga and Oregon, but not Arizona to someone who runs a UofA site. Seems like that was done on purpose.
https://twitter.com/MattGOAZCATS/status/992446698105389056
Not that it matters much, but I noticed Williams deleted his twitter post with the pic of him in a Gonzaga jersey.
Quote from: GoCatZ on May 04, 2018, 05:13:22 PM
Not that it matters much, but I noticed Williams deleted his twitter post with the pic of him in a Gonzaga jersey.
He deleted all related pics including Oregon too
I don't want to overanalyze an 18 year olds twitter but all the small signs point to Arizona.
I hate to say it, and I very much hope I'm wrong, but I'm worried that Brandon Williams will today announce that he is headed to Oregon. In his latest interview, Brandon said that Arizona "wouldn't be a bad choice" -- which is far from a ringing endorsement.
[hide login=1]Breaking News: Brandon Williams will officially let the CAT out of the bag today 😼[/hide]
Awesome! Woohoo!
I can get with that.
Now people see the recruits coming back, maybe we jump back into conetention for some of these 2019 prospects!
Brandon Williams and his family made a final decision on the team he's going to pick last night.
I wonder who is going to prevail?
Is Pops going to win and he goes to Gonzaga?
Does his AAU boys win and he goes to Oregon?
Does he get to make his own decision and choose Arizona?
Wherever he goes, I'm just hoping he gets to make this decision on his own.
https://twitter.com/TheeBWill/status/992835032912822272