Westover’s Allec Williams signs with Metro State University

ALBANY — Westover basketball coach Dallis Smith has known Allec Williams since “the ball was about as big as he was.”

Smith knew Williams was destined for success since the Westover guard was a toddler and on Friday afternoon, Williams parlayed some of that success into a chance to play at the next level.

The standout signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

“I always said that guy was going to be very good one day,” Smith said. “He is an outstanding kid. Whatever he sets his mind to do, he’s going to be successful.”

Williams, a Herald Super 6er, led the Patriots with 15.4 points and 6.5 assists per game. The guard stepped up in the big games and led Westover to an appearance in the state quarterfinals before a narrow loss to Grady ended the Patriots’ season.

He was crucial in Westover’s Region 1-AAAA tournament run that saw them knock off three higher seeds to win the title.

“In the beginning of the year, it was kind of shaky,” Smith said. “But what made us do what we did was Allec. He figured out what we needed to do and we rode him into the elite eight.”

Williams also received interest from the University of North Georgia but instead chose Metro State.

The Roadrunners, who play in the Royal Mountain Athletic Conference, have a storied basketball program. They have won two NCAA Division II championships and appeared in six final fours since 1999.

The success played a big part in Williams’ decision.

“It was very important for me to go to a winning environment,” Williams said. “I love winning and I hate to lose.”

Despite going to school so far from home, Williams is ready for the change.

“At some point in time, you have to grow up,” he said. “I feel like this is a good time to grow up, get away from home, learn how to live on my own and play basketball.”