By JOSH NEWMAN
One of the top centers in the Class of 2017 is headed to the ACC.
Malik Williams, a 7-footer who plays for Fort Wayne (IN) R Nelson Snider High School and Legit Basketball on the AAU scene, offered a verbal commitment to Rick Pitino and Louisville on Thursday afternoon via his Twitter account.
Williams, the No. 3 center and No. 32 overall recruit according to 247sports.com’s composite rankings, is the first 2017 commit for the Cardinals.
“He’s quiet and didnt care much for the attention,” Juan Gorman, the Director of the Legit Basketball program told SNY.tv. “So I figured he went with his gut after he visited the other day. He said it just felt like this is where he needed to be, and truthfully that’s all that matters.”
Gorman added: “He’s a natural shot-blocker on defense. He defends all five positions and is an extremely accurate shooter with range.”
Louisville clearly made Williams a priority during the July evaluation periods, following him from stop to stop on the AAU circuit, beginning with the Elevate Hoops Summer Icebreaker in Philadelphia.
In Philadelphia, Williams told SNY.tv he was looking to cut his list in August. On July 25, he announced a final eight of Indiana, Purdue, Georgetown, Iowa, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina State and UCLA. He took an unofficial visit Louisville earlier this week.
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