Buckeyes or Gators: Top 50 Center Amir Williams to Pick Ohio State or Florida

Amir Williams, a 6'10" high school senior center from Detroit Country Day School has told ESPN recruiting guru Reggie Rankin that he'll be choosing between THE Ohio State University and the University of Florida as his 2011 destination, according to Rankin's twitter account. 

In an odd coincidence, Ohio State travels to Gainesville on Tuesday night to face off against the Gators, who have developed an interesting rivalry since the two teams met for the national title in 2007.  While I can't imagine that this game will have any bearing on Williams' decision, stranger things have happened.

Williams is a 2011 consensus top 40 pick, with several rankings having the lanky, athletic center in their top 15. He brings an athletic game to whichever team he chooses.  He's quick on the court, and often gets ahead of the fast break for earth-ringing dunks.  He's a solid post-up player, but isn't afraid to face up his defender, and accelerate past for the score, or foul.  He likes playing above the rim, both offensively and defensively, and is a fantastic shot blocker and defender.  His only potential flaw is his strength, which Thad Matta would surely cure.

Several teams were involved in the pursuit of Williams, including Michigan, Purdue  and DePaul.  Michigan, his home state school, had put the full court press on Williams in recent weeks.  Many believed they were within his top three, but couldn't compare to the press put on by Florida initially, and Ohio State overall.  Williams completed his recruiting trips with a visit to Columbus this past weekend.  All indicators have the Buckeyes as his No. 1 choice.

Should Ohio State land the athletic big man, this would lock the Buckeyes into the top five recruiting classes in 2011, and solidify Thad Matta as one of the top five recruiters in the NCAA. 

Tune in tomorrow night for the Buckeyes match up against Florida, then their rematch on Wednesday, as Amir Williams chooses between the two schools for his 2011 destination.

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