Reseda Swingman Williams Says He’s Committed to Texas El Paso

RESEDA — Swingman Archie Williams of Reseda High said Tuesday that he has orally committed to play basketball next season at Texas El Paso.

Williams is the third player from the region to commit to play for an NCAA Division I school, joining Alex Lopez of Campbell Hall and Jason Hartman of Thousand Oaks, who both will play at Washington.

For many observers, the likely reaction to Williams’ commitment is, “Who?”

Williams (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) is a transfer from Santa Monica High, where Coach Ken Sprague said he averaged 17 points as a junior. “He’s got a lot of skills,” Sprague said.

Even Reseda Coach Jeff Halpern was caught off guard when he learned of the news. “I didn’t know he was this good,” Halpern said. “I guess he can really score.”

Williams also was courted by Providence, St. Mary’s, Portland, Southern Methodist and San Jose State. Williams made the decision partly because he has relatives in Texas and phoned UTEP at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“I felt it then,” Williams said.

The NCAA’s weeklong early signing period begins Nov. 10.