Clemson women’s basketball picks up commitment from local guard
One of the top high school girls’ basketball players in South Carolina has made her college choice.
Spring Valley’s Ashley Williamson verbally committed to Clemson late Wednesday night. She chose the Tigers over Louisville and Harvard and is Clemson’s first commit for the Class of 2019.
Williamson also had offers from South Carolina, Charlotte, Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
“They had a great campus and it was a family-like campus,” Williamson said. “They cared about each player and will make sure they will develop as players each year.”
Williamson also hopes to part of the rebuilding process at Clemson under coach Audra Smith. The Tigers haven’t had a winning season since 2004-05 but are 10-8 in this season.
Clemson made Williamson a priority and started recruiting her in the eighth grade. She has made three visits to the school including last weekend, and Clemson coaches were at Tuesday’s game against Blythewood. Tiger coaches also scouted her heavily during last summer’s AAU season.
Williamson was born in Colorado but her family moved back to Columbia in 2013. She played her freshman season at Ben Lippen but has been at Spring Valley the past two years.
This season, Williamson is averaging 18.5 points, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals for the Vikings, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A SC Basketball Coaches polls. She had a season-high 31 points against Westwood on Dec. 5.
Williamson is ranked as a three-star prospect by ESPN Hoop Gurlz rankings and 14th ranked point guard for Class of 2019. Clemson recruited her as a point guard but will likely play both guard spots in college.
Williamson also participated this summer in the Team USA 16U training camp.
This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Clemson women’s basketball picks up commitment from local guard."