Two prep basketball standouts sign letters of intent

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee men's basketball coach Kermit Davis has announced prep standouts DeMario Williams and Aundra Williams have signed national letters of intent with the Blue Raiders as the NCAA Early Signing Period began this week.

DeMario Williams (6-3, 180) is a combo guard who helped lead Culleoka High School to the Class A state semifinals as a junior and is lauded as one of the state's top prospects, and Aundra Williams (6-8, 230) is a powerful forward at Boone High School in Orlando, Fla., who is regarded as one of the top players in the Sunshine State.

"Demario Williams is a real talent," Davis said. "He is a point guard with great size, he's athletic, and he's got a chance to be a really good player. Aundra is a real explosive guy who has a body like a senior college, just cut up, defined, can run and jump. He is a raw talent but he has great athleticism and strength and a good skill level so he has a chance."

DeMario Williams is a two-sport star who plays basketball at Culleoka and then commuted to Columbia High School to play football because Culleoka did not offer football. He is rated as one of the top receivers in the state and there is a possibility he could play both sports at Middle Tennessee, although he will concentrate on basketball during his freshman year as a Blue Raider.

"He is just going to play basketball his freshman year and then after his freshman year he is going to decide," Davis said. "The door is completely open to DeMario to play football and basketball at Middle Tennessee if he would like. (Football coach Rick) Stockstill and I, and our staffs, will work together on that. He just wanted to play basketball his freshman year where the load academically is easier and see what he can do in one sport one year and then after the season he will make his decision."

Williams is a top 10 prospect in the state according to various recruiting services. He averaged 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds as a junior. He also is a two-time Mr. Basketball Finalist.

Aundra Williams is rated as a top 50 prospect by both Hoopscoop Online and the ABA team Miami Tropics' recruiting services. FloridaHoops.com recently ranked him among the top 25 uncommitted prospects in Florida.

Aundra Williams plays for coach Willie Anderson at Boone High School. Anderson was recruited to LSU by Davis when the current Blue Raider coach was there as an assistant.

"Willie played for us at LSU and he is just a basketball guy," Davis said. "He has a lot of similar philosophies of what we do. He has taken Aundra, who is an unbelievable 6-8, 235 pound athlete who was really raw two or three years ago, and has really developed his skills. Willie is about toughness, he's about character and I don't think he would recommend a guy at all who wouldn't come and fit with what we do from a toughness standpoint. With Bruce being a Middle Tennessee guy I think he was really excited that he chose to come to Middle Tennessee."

Davis also said Culleoka coach Bruce Slatten, Middle Tennessee alum, is credited with the maturation and development of DeMario Williams.

"There is no question in my mind Bruce Slatten is one of the top two or three high school coaches in the entire state," Davis said. "He is one of the most respected guys and he has won everywhere he has been. I'm not trying to put any pressure on Bruce and his team but I think they have an excellent opportunity to get back to Murfreesboro for the state tournament in March and win a state championship. Again, Bruce emphasizes defending, toughness and character. He can coach."