Wagner’s Kiana Williams (right) drives the ball past Steele’s player during their District 27-6A girls basketball game with Steele at Wagner on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.
David Hinojosa, mysanantonio.com, January 15, 2017
Wagner senior point guard Kiana Williams has been picked to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game. Her selection was announced Sunday night on ESPNU.
“A big burden has been lifted off my shoulders,” said Williams, who signed with Stanford in November. “This is every basketball player’s dream. I’ve been anxious all day. This is the most tense I’ve ever been.”
Williams was one of 24 girls selected to play in the prestigious national all-star contest, which will stage its 16th edition at 4 p.m. March 29 at United Center in Chicago. It will be televised live on ESPN2. The 40th boys game will be at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Williams follows former Wagner teammate Amber Ramirez, a two-time Express-News Player of the Year and a freshman at TCU, who played in last year’s game.
Williams is averaging 21.4 points for the third-ranked Thunderbirds, who are 18-3 this season.
Williams is one of the country’s top-ranked guards. ESPN has her listed No. 8 on its recruiting rankings for the 2017 class.
Williams is the fifth girl from the San Antonio-area to be selected and the sixth player overall. Other girls include Ramirez, Kyra Lambert of Clemens (2015), Recee’ Caldwell of FEAST (2014), Meighan Simmons of Steele (2010).
“It’s amazing,” Williams said. “I want to thank Amber for setting the bar. Recee’, Kyra, Meighan, they’ve all been factors in my basketball life. They’ve been amazing role models.”
Shaquille O’Neal (Cole, 1989) is the only area boy who has played in the game. Ten girls and two boys from the area were among 720 from around the country who appeared on this year’s ballot.
“I think this lets people know basketball in San Antonio is just as good as Houston and Dallas,” Williams said. “We get overlooked sometimes.”
Williams said her former coach at Wagner Christina Camacho, current coach at Wagner Jeffrey Odgen, former club coaches Ray Caldwell and Koty Cowgill have been instrumental in helping her over the years. She also said her brother Chancy Campbell and father Michael Williams pushed her, too.
Williams is up for another high-profile honor. Williams is one of 25 being considered for the 2017 Naismith Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists on Feb. 6.
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