The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Brush’s Woolfolk, Williams turning heads
Brush forwards Antwone Woolfolk and Tyler Williams turned heads when they participated in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. The duo, both 6-foot-7, walked away from the event having caught the attention of college coaches.
“Antwone played a game against the No. 2 player in the country and was in front of 200 different coaches,” said Brush head coach Chet Mason. “Sitting in the front row were the likes of John Calipari, Mike Krzyzewski, Patrick Ewing, Chris Holtmann, and a who’s who of college coaches. The level of exposure is great for all the student athletes, including Tyler and Antwone.”
Both Williams and Woolfolk received a pair of scholarship offers. Both earned an offer from California State University Bakersfield. Williams’ second offer came from Kent State, while Woolfolk’s second was from Rutgers.
“The level of exposure there is unbelievable,” said Mason.
“You’re not just playing against Ohio based schools or other players from neighboring states.
“You're playing against guys from all across the country, and getting looks from schools all around the country. A lot of people thought Antwone was going to go to the MAC level, but playing in that event got him that exposure and people noticed him. Tyler has already garnered the MAC interest going into his junior year, and we are
excited to continue to see him develop.”
Woofolk also has a handful of offers in football as well, including Boston College, as well as having heard from Minnesota and Alabama.
This duo is the latest to have garnered division I offers. They will share the floor this season with recent Ohio commit Elmore James.
The trio of James, Woolfolk and Williams have embraced the culture Mason started with the likes of John Hughley, Andre
Harris and D.J. Dial. They have already helped pass that culture to the incoming freshman, and a pair have already been catching the attention of college coaches.
Mason gives credit to both the players and others for buying into the culture he wanted to bring to Brush starting in 2015.
“Coming into the system, the goal wasn't to win every game, the goal was to come in and help the players mature and give them exposure,” said Mason.
“This September is going to see coaches coming in and out to see the talent that is here during open gyms and workouts. It's a testament to the former and current players, as well as people like superintendent Dr. Linda Reid and the board of education. I have to thank them for giving me a chance to instill that culture here. Not all former players turn into great coaches, but they took a chance on me and I am really grateful for the chance.”