Troy Williams: 5-Star 2013 Recruit Deciding on Kentucky or North Carolina

Troy Williams is unique. When you watch him on the court, he'll stand out because of his lanky frame and smooth playmaking ability, most notably in transition. Off the court, Williams is just as rare.

The 5-star 2013 prospect announced he would be making his college choice sometime this week, selecting between blue-blood programs Kentucky and North Carolina.

His decision will most likely come before the decisions of high school seniors like Anthony Bennett and Amile Jefferson—so why so early?

"I feel comfortable with it," Williams told me in an interview I had with him last Friday. He also stated his decision will "relieve some of the stress" he's been dealing with as a 5-star prospect.

Williams trimmed his list to Kentucky and North Carolina earlier this month, citing that Georgetown didn't play his style. In our interview, I asked him what will have the largest influence on his decision.

"Playing style, how good I get along with the players, and academics" Williams explained. He also said that those aspects are what he likes about both schools. He told me both programs have the "fast-paced game" that he's looking for, along with "great coaching, cool players and very good academics."

Both Kentucky and North Carolina offer Williams tremendous exposure along with top-notch teammates and coaches. Williams fits the bill for both John Calipari and Roy Williams as a player that thrives in an up-tempo environment, but can also succeed in half-court sets.

But Williams' game-changing ability isn't showcased only on the offensive side of the ball. His extraordinary length allows him to alter shots and fill up the stat sheet with plays like this (via Rivals). 

Williams maneuvers in the lane and scores at will, and his defense is well above average for a high school junior. He needs to add strength to his 6'6" frame and show some consistency in his outside jumper, but that's a picky assessment of an otherwise peerless prospect.   

He's enjoyed the recruitment process, saying "I have something the coaches like and want out of me, so I feel good about it." But he's ready to move on. He'll be the first player inside the top 10 from the ESPNU Super 60 to commit. 

Lost in the recruitment of high school athletes are hidden gems like Williams. He's a refreshing talent that will offer Kentucky or North Carolina a level-headed, savvy athlete that knows the worth of a stress-free senior year in high school.