Rodney Williams Jr. Having Strong Senior Year

Rodney Williams Jr., a 6-foot-6, 185-pound forward from Robbinsdale (MN) Cooper who signed with Minnesota in the early signing period, is having an outstanding senior campaign. Williams Jr., who is one of the top athletes in the country, has paced the Hawks to a 13-0 start after defeating defending Class AAAA champion Minnetonka 93-77 Saturday. Williams Jr. scored 17 in the win.

Rodney Williams Jr. is averaging 15.9 points per game, which is down from last year. However, the Hawks have excellent balance with four in double figures and two others averaging more than seven points per game.

Kenquane Brown is averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game. Joe Bright adds 13.7 points and outside threat Quincey Bethea is averaging 11.8 points per game.

Williams Jr. paced Cooper to a 23-9 mark last season as he led the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the Class AAAA State Tournament. They upset Osseo in the section finals, giving the Orioles their only loss of the season. Williams Jr. averaged 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 blocked shots and 2.4 assists per game.

Williams Jr. averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocked shots and 2.3 assists per game as he led the Hawks to a 21-7 record as a sophomore.

Cooper faces defending Class AAA champion Benidle St. Maragaret Tuesday and meets nationally ranked Hopkins Feb. 3.

Williams picked the Gophers over interest from Connecticut, Miami, Iowa State and Kansas.

Williams attended the LeBron James Skills Academy for the second straight year. He played with the Howard Pulley AAU team the past three years.