WILLIAMS HEADED TO HAWAI'I HILO

Head Coach Klein announced Friday that Panther Basketball point guard Darren Williams has accepted an offer from University of Hawai'i Hilo to complete his education and compete as a Vulcan.  Williams led the Panthers to an Inland Empire Athletic Conference Championship in 2020 and was instrumental in the Panthers' 2019 South Coast Conference Championship team.  Often underestimated on the court, the 5'8" sophomore from Rancho Cucamonga HS had nearly 500 points in the 2019-21 season, averaging 17.1 ppg.  "I really made the jump in my second year on the team," said Williams.  "Chaffey really prepared me to play at the next level - I'd pick Chaffey again."

Williams is excited about the new opportunities ahead of him.  "I vacationed in Hawaii last year and it's a beautiful place," he said.  "The coach is new and he made me a priority.  I'm looking forward to what I can bring to this team and growing program."

Coach Klein added, "Darren is a great student and athlete.  He's excelled in the classroom and really made a name for himself on the court.  We're proud of what he's accomplished and can't wait to see him play for Hawai'i Hilo."

Being local, Williams' family are regular attendees of Chaffey games.  When asked how his family is taking the news of him traveling across the Pacific for school, Williams added, "I'm the youngest of three and the only one out-of-state for school.  Their excited and besides, we play a lot of teams here in California."  Southern California Pac West teams include Azusa Pacific, Point Loma, and Biola.

Williams, a two-time Chaffey College scholar-athlete, was also recently awarded a Chaffey College Classified Senate scholarship.  He will be continuing his business education at Hawai'i Hilo.