We introduce you to Maile Williams. Maile is the oldest of 3 children. She is a 8th grader who attends Joseph Kerr Middle School in Sacramento, California. Maile is very grounded as she constantly refers to her faith. She also takes her role as the elder sibling very serious. She doesn’t want to let them down.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Maile picked up the game of basketball between the ages of 6 and 7. She remembers scoring her first points at 8 years old in the Barbara Wackford League.
Maile list her father as her biggest influence , stating “he guides us spiritually and by example with his actions and decisions in life.” Her favorite player is Kobe Bryant, which is why she has been dubbed Lady Mamba. His skill-set and will is something she admires.
A bright student who carries a 4.0 grade point average, and has visions of eventually graduating High School at the top of her class, then going on to major in Neurology, and eventually become a Brain Surgeon.
On the court Maile works hard on her game. Daily getting up 450-500 shots. Constantly critiquing her own game, then working on those weaknesses.
In watching Maile play, her ball-handling is excellent, her ability to play angles well allows her to attack with precision. Her change of direction is fluid and decisive. She can pull-up off the dribble and knockdown the three pointer. She is not the type of kid to blow you away athletically. She blows you away with her skill-set. She has a high I.Q. At a young age, she moves extremely well without the ball.
She wants to build on her solid showing at Nicc Jacksons Elite Girls Basketball All-American Games earlier this year. She understands the only way to get better is to work hard, she is determined to do so.
We asked her if she could recall her toughest game of her young career. She responded “it was last year at the Boo Williams event in Virginia against the Georgia Pistols Under-17 team. It was tough out there. They were way bigger, stronger and pushed me around a lot.” She still competed and held her own. She states “that just made me want to get home, get in the gym, work hard, get stronger and always be on top of my game. I realized that at that level everyone is good!”
Maile is currently working on getting stronger, being more aggressive, improving her agility and explosiveness. She understands that her mindset must change to achieve her dreams. She wants to be like her idol Kobe, and always have a “attacking mentality!”
Between her skill-set, efficiency, passion and willingness to get better, she is definitely a Top-100 prospect for her class. She already has several letters from multiple colleges.
Maile has bigger goals than being a Top-100 Prospect. She wants to finish out as a Top-5 player at her position, Make the USA U-16 team, and continue to make Honor Roll academically.
She will continue to invest time, energy and sweat into improving her strength, agility, explosiveness and mindset. She wants to keep testing her game.
She plays to attend the USA Western Regional Academy Camp in October, and early next year she will challenge herself at the John Lucas 40/40 Camp.
She is appreciative of the opportunity that Marlon Wells and Kelly Sopak afforded her the opportunity to compete on their respective teams.
Next year you can find her on the circuit with the Oakland Soldiers.