Salpointe Catholic’s starting wing Hannah Williams commits to Northern Arizona University. Williams has been an impact on the varsity since her freshman year and was a key contributor in the Lady Lancers 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 4A State Championships. She has been a starter on the Varsity since her freshman year. Her and her team has competed in many past GC3 Hoops events to include the Summer Invitational (2021, 2022, 2023), and Fall Tremendous 24 (2021, 2022).
When I first observed Williams in the summer of 2021, she stood out as a post player, showcasing impressive skills both inside the paint and from mid-range. Even as an 8th grader, she demonstrated remarkable proficiency in scoring in the paint and from mid-range positions. Her presence was also felt on the boards, as she was consistently active, contributing significantly to rebounds on both offense and defense. Despite her young age, Williams exhibited the strength and toughness necessary to defend against larger forwards and centers, highlighting her potential and versatility from an early age.
As her high school career advanced, her skills continued to develop significantly. She enhanced her quickness and ball-handling abilities while also deepening her basketball IQ. I was particularly impressed by her aggressive style of play—her capability to drive downhill, attack the basket, and finish strong at the rim was outstanding. She effectively leveraged her size and tenacity to draw fouls and capitalize on free-throw opportunities.
Her notable progress did not go unnoticed, drawing the attention of several colleges. However, Northern Arizona University emerged as the front runner, securing a commitment from Williams. At the collegiate level, she is expected to play primarily as a wing player. Given her trajectory, I anticipate that Williams will be a key factor in Salpointe Catholic’s success, potentially propelling them to a significant run in the AIA Playoffs this season. I will get a closer look as her team will participate in the Inaugural Honolulu Challenge hosted in Honolulu, Hawaii this January.
