Spiders receive third hoops commitment

The University of Richmond received its third men's basketball commitment yesterday when 6-6 Derrick Williams pledged to become a Spider.

The 245-pounder attends St. Anthony's High, of Jersey City, N.J., and joins 6-3 Wayne Sparrow of Baltimore's St. Frances Academy and 6-0 Cedric Lindsay of Gonzaga High and Camp Springs, Md.

Williams also received scholarship offers from Saint Joseph's, Penn State, St. Bonaventure, Fordham and Hofstra, among others, according to Eric Harrield, Williams' AAU coach with the University All Stars and an assistant at St. Anthony's. Williams averaged about 13 points and 8 rebounds as a junior at St. Anthony's, the alma mater of dozens of former Division I players.

"The Richmond coaches did an excellent job making Derrick feel wanted there, consistently letting him know that he was a priority for them," Harrield said.

The early signing period for the Class of 2010 begins Nov. 11. NCAA rules prohibit college coaches from speaking publicly about a commitment until that prospect's letter of intent is received on campus. UR has three seniors on this season's team: 6-4 guard David Gonzalvez, 6-7 wing Ryan Butler and 6-6 wing Kevin Hovde.

The Spiders' signings are expected to be limited to Sparrow, Lindsay and Williams next month. - John O'Connor