Emmitt Williams

Emmitt Mack Williams V (born September 15, 1998) is an American college basketball player for the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

High school career

As a freshman, Williams played for Lehigh Senior High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida, where he averaged 15.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his sophomore season. At IMG Academy, he was teammates with highly-touted recruits Trevon Duval and Silvio De Sousa and played for one of the best teams in the country. In the 2015–16 season, Williams averaged 16.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, playing in the power forward position.

For his senior season, Williams transferred to Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida. On October 11, 2017, he was arrested on charges of felonious sexual battery and false imprisonment. Williams pleaded not guilty and was released on $13,500 bond six days later. He made his debut for Oak Ridge on December 1, after sitting out his first two games. On December 20, his charges were dismissed after the case was deemed "not suitable for prosecution."

Williams averaged 17.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, leading his team to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 9A state championship. On April 8, 2018, he recorded 44 points, seven rebounds and three steals at the Jordan Brand Classic and was named most valuable player (MVP) of the game. He broke the single-game scoring record for the event previously held by LeBron James. He also took part in the Ballislife All-American Game, of which he was named co-MVP with Moses Brown after he was the game's top scorer (31 points) and best rebounder (12).

Recruiting

Williams was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the most highly-rated power forwards in the 2018 recruiting class. On January 26, 2018, he committed to play college basketball for LSU over offers from Oregon and Florida, among others.

College career

As a freshman, Williams averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, making eight starts on a team that reached the Sweet 16. He had a season-high 15 points twice. Williams scored 13 points and a career-best 14 rebounds in a 79–78 overtime win at Florida. Following the season he declared for the 2018 NBA draft but decided to return. On November 24, 2019, Williams scored a career-high 27 points and collected nine rebounds in a 96–83 win against Rhode Island. On January 29, 2020, Williams had 23 points and 11 rebounds in a 90–76 win over Alabama. As a sophomore, Williams averaged 13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Career statistics

College

Personal life

Williams' best friend and high school teammate, Stef'an Strawder, was shot and killed in Fort Myers, Florida on July 25, 2016. Williams used Strawder's death as motivation to continue playing basketball.