The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/130469
2013 basketball recruiting issue on the basketball court." "I think it's a family. By the way Ekmark compares Williams to they carry themselves, you can tell Kelly Faris, who was taken No. 11 they really care about what they do. overall by the Connecticut Sun in the They're not going to lie to you, and 2013 WNBA Draft. Faris was the Big they really have your best interests East Defensive Player of the Year last at heart." season. Williams finished with the second"Danielle is a world-class de- highest GPA in her graduating class, fender," Ekmark said. "Whenever we which is very exciting to Barnes get the scouting report and there's a Arico. really good guard on the other team, "She is about what Michigan my response is, 'We have Danielle, stands for," Barnes Arico said. so we have the advantage.' She has "She's a coach's dream. She called gone against the best players in the recently to ask about 2014 recruits. country. She wanted some phone numbers, so "She is very similar to Kelly Faris. she could tell them about Michigan She is that type of kid, who can im- and what the future holds. She's an pact the game in so many ways other unbelievable kid. She's passionate. than scoring. And just as Faris did, "She's a bright kid. She's one of Danielle is getting better at knocking the hardest workers I've ever been down threes. around, and she will do whatever it "She will guard the best player, takes to win. If I said, 'Danielle, we regardless of whether she's a point can't let this kid score,' she will lock guard or a power forward. She gets her up the entire game." rebounds; she'll lead the team in assist-to-turnover ratio; and she'll drive Deadly Shooter the lane. She will do whatever we Siera Thompson need to win." When Nichols traveled to Gardena, Williams' twin sister, Dominique, is also a four-star prospect, accord- Calif., to watch Thompson play last ing to HoopGurlz, and is on her way season, the U-M assistant coach was treated to a rare event. to UCLA. Thompson hit a half-court buzzer Barnes Arico initially offered both sisters, who each stand 5-9, and al- beater at the end of the first half. And though it was a difficult decision to then she did it again. With Serra down part ways, both are happy with their three at the end of the game, she sunk another half-court shot to send decision. "I am a little nervous. I have lived the game into overtime. "She looked up at him and gave my whole life with her," Williams said. "If I was going to split up with him a little wink, like, 'That's what my sister, I wouldn't do it for any you're getting next year.' She hit 15 of those throughout the year," said other school but Michigan.