new mexico: williams stays, others sign

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Catching Up: Good News For McKay
At NM...Williams Stays, Two More Sign--(May 9, 2002)

New Mexico head coach Ritchie McKay has had it rough for the first few weeks: He's booted Patrick Dennehy off the team, confirmed that Marlon Parmer won't return after his major conflagration with former coach Fran Fraschilla, and also had to contend with top-rated point guard recruit Ashanti Cook bailing out of his National Letter of Intent and asking for his release. And if that wasn't enough, rumors have been circulating for weeks that Jamaal Williams (6'-5" Fr. F), was very unhappy at New Mexico and was asking for his release. Williams' name was mentioned in connection with a number of Pac-10 and Big West schools as potential transfer targets, but this past week, McKay got a bit of good news when Jamaal announced he was going to stay. In fact this was such good news that the University of New Mexico issued a press release to trumpet their good fortune, something which is pretty unusual for a university to do with someone who is merely opting to stay at a school, particularly when the NBA isn't the reason the player is thinking about leaving. Still, any news for New Mexico which doesn't involve a player leaving is good news, so we're happy to pass this one along. Jamaal is a great competitor and we've watched him for years while he was at Corona Centennial and playing with teams like Pump N Run and EBO. Anyway, Jamaal is staying put, at least for the time being. Here's the press release:

Men's Hoops: Williams To Stay at UNM
Monday, April 29 2002

Head men's basketball coach Ritchie McKay has announced that forward Jamaal Williams will remain a student-athlete at the University of New Mexico. Earlier this month, Williams was granted a release from his UNM scholarship, allowing him to pursue opportunities at other institutions.

As a true freshman during the 2001-02 season, Williams (Corona, Calif.) played in 28 games, including three starts. He was the top freshman rebounder in the Mountain West Conference, averaging 5.1 boards a game. That figure ranked third on the team, however, Williams will be the Lobos' top returning rebounder in 2002-03. Williams averaged 7.7 points, fourth-best on the team and the fourth-highest average among MWC freshmen.

Williams' scoring high was 20 points against Texas Southern. He had 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds at California.

"This is a great day for Lobo basketball, and for myself and the staff," said McKay. "Jamaal Williams is the type of person we want representing our program. He is a terrific student and he has tremendous character. Obviously, his abilities on the basketball floor are special as well. I?m anxious to have the opportunity to coach Jamaal for three more years."

Ritchie McKay and his staff also got some other good news recently, and while Jamaal was searching out other opportunities, they signed a couple of other players who are certain to help the Lobos get back on track. On April 23, the Lobos signed junior college forward Shelton Colwell, and on April 16, they signed JC player Javin Tindall. Colwell is a 6'-7" forward from Newark, NJ, who has been playing at Des Moines Area Community College, and is a Division II junior college All-America forward who averaged a double-double during his two-year career at Des Moines.