Hawks land power forward from PET

BY TED SILARY

Daily News Staff Writer

There was a 66.67-percent chance that Jai Williams would wind up playing his college basketball in Philadelphia.

That number is now 100.

The 6-8, 240-pound Williams, a rising senior and power forward at Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter, Monday committed to Saint Joseph's.

His runner-up school was La Salle. Other offers came from Temple, Drexel, Virginia Commonwealth and Niagara.

"I wanted to stay close to home, so my family could come see me play," said Williams, who lives near 42nd and Parkside, roughly three miles from Hawk Hill. "My family wanted that, too, but even if they didn't I still would have wanted to stay. I like it around here."

Williams said he first took a liking to coach Phil Martelli during the 2010-11 school year.

"We were in the middle of the school day and I got called down to the office," Williams said. "A few of us did. Coach Martelli came to talk to us.

"I like being around him. You know you can trust him to tell you the truth. I like their style of play and especially the coaching they do with the big guys. I've been over there two-three times for unofficial visits and I got some good advice from \[players\] Ronald Roberts and Daryus Quarles.

"I'm glad to have this \[recruiting process\] over. Now I can focus on school and the season."

Williams has yet to pinpoint a course of study.