Huskers to host 2015 JUCO

As Nebraska continues to search far and wide in its recruiting efforts, a new 2015 junior college prospect has emerged who just so happens to be right up I-80 East in the Huskers' own backyard.

Darien Williams, a 6-foot-9 forward at Iowa Western Community College, caught the attention of NU's staff back in November. After assistant coach Chris Harriman saw the freshman play a few times, he quickly got to work on getting Williams to come to Lincoln on a visit. They finally settled on a date earlier this week, as Williams will see Nebraska on an unofficial visit for Wednesday's home game against Illinois. Though he currently doesn't hold a Husker offer yet, one could be coming very soon.

"I'm more open in my recruitment right now, so I just want to see as many places as I can," Williams said. "Coach Harriman is a cool dude, and I like what's going on at Nebraska right now. I just wanted to come check it out. Me and my grandmother are coming out. I wanted to take her to a game."

Even though he's just over an hour drive away in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and one of his IWCC assistant coaches, Michael Johnette (1997-99) actually played at Nebraska, Williams said he was just starting to learn about what the Huskers had to offer.

"I've heard about it a little bit," Williams said. "I know that have really nice facilities and all that, and what I really like is the fan base. Plus they're in the Big Ten, so that's something I've definitely looked at."

Williams grew up in Tustin, Calif., and graduated from St. John Bosco High School in 2013, where he was a three-star prospect and played alongside UConn's Daniel Hamilton and UTEP's Isaac Hamilton. He then took the juco route and wound up at Iowa Western, where he's made an immediate impact for the Reivers (22-5) in his first season. He's currently averaging 16.4 points on 52.1 percent shooting from the field and 41.8 percent from 3-point range, along with hauling in 7.0 rebounds per game and shooting 65 percent from the free throw line.

"I can shoot the ball and put the ball on the floor," Williams said. "I'd say more than anything I'm versatile. I play mostly on the perimeter just with the style that we run, but we have a few plays where I post up sometimes."

His play has certainly caught the attention of top high-major programs across the country. He only holds two offers so far from Kansas State and Fresno State, but a slew of others have shown heavy interest along with Nebraska. Schools like Kansas, Louisville, Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Marquette, Florida State, Creighton and others have all inquired over the past few months.

Williams still has another year at IWCC before he has to make his decision, but he said he's in no rush and plans to let the recruiting process play out as long as it needs to. Williams said he will start taking his official visits this summer, and wants to use all five of his allotted officials before picking a school.

"For me, it's all about the right fit and the right situation," Williams said. "Basically when I feel like I've found the right place, that's where I'm going to go."

One thing that won't play a factor in his decision is location. Though he admitted that Midwestern life has taken some getting used to, Williams said he feels right at home in the Heartland.

"Obviously I lived in Orange County, so it's a pretty big change of pace," Williams said. "But I chose to come out here. I wanted to see something different than California. I may have to put on more clothes and gloves and stuff like that, but it's no big deal."