5-Star PF Prospect Emmitt Williams Commits to LSU over Kansas, Florida

LSU got a huge boost to its 2018 men's basketball recruiting class Friday, landing 5-star power forward Emmitt Williams. 

He posted his choice of the Tigers on Twitter:

Williams is considered the No. 8 power forward and No. 24 player overall in the class of 2018, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Evan Daniels of Scout broke down his game in July: "You won't find a tougher, more physical player on the Nike EYBL circuit than Williams. At 6'7", Williams plays with tremendous energy. He's active on the glass, races end to end for easy dunks and he doesn't back down from anyone."

What's even more impressive about Williams, however, is how far he's come as a player, given his relative inexperience on the court. As Adam Zagoria of the News and Observer wrote: "Williams, a former football player who looks like a middle linebacker, only started playing organized basketball in middle school and said he 'didn't start to get serious until two years ago.'"

And Williams also has displayed a desire to be a leader and team player at the next level.

"I wanna be that kid that brings that motor to the team, gets everybody on their feet and makes sure everybody is ready to play," he told Zagoria. "I wanna be that guy with the motor on the court. I wanna guard every position on the court, from 1 through the 5. The more people I can guard, the better player I am."

For a player who could rely on natural ability alone, those comments will be music to his new coaching staff's ears. That talent was on display during July's Peach Jam, when Williams posterized the top recruit in the class of 2018, Marvin Bagley III, per Overtime:

Williams' combination of talent and energy surely has LSU thrilled.

He should have an opportunity to garner a starting role right away with the Tigers set to lose senior power forward Duop Reath to graduation after the 2017-18 campaign.