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Baylor Basketball

Baylor Lands Four-Star Wing Elijah Williams, Becomes First Commitment in 2026 Class

May 27, 2025
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TMI Episcopal (TX) wing Elijah Williams‍ has committed to head coach Scott Drew and Baylor and becomes the first commitment in the 2026 recruiting class.

Williams is the son of former NBA player and head coach Monty Williams, who played for five different franchises from 1994 to 2003. He was the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans (2010-2015), Phoenix Suns (2019-2023) and Detroit Pistons (2023-2024). 

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward was invited to the 2025 USA Men's Junior National Team April minicamp in San Antonio.

Williams is rated the composite No. 36 overall prospect and a four-star recruit in the On3 2026 rankings. He is listed as the 17th-best small forward and fifth-best player in Texas, according to 247 Sports.

Why The Fit Looks Good

There's definitely an intentionality in targeting Andre Iguodala II and Elijah Williams. NBA genes offer benefits in many areas. The dads know there are no shortcuts. There is no desperation for the short-term buck like there is with some recruits. They know the value of being in the right culture and allowing time and consistency to impact their development. Obviously, the faith fits both families like a glove. There is a lot of trust in head coach Scott Drew and what he has built at Baylor. I wouldn't be surprised to see sons of other NBA players targeted for the same reasons.

Discussion from...

Baylor Lands Four-Star Wing Elijah Williams, Becomes First Commitment in 2026 Class

7,836 Views | 23 Replies | Last: 22 days ago by IowaBear
IowaBear
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11:10a, 5/27/25
Dare I say… the start of shift away from 1 n dones?
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Bearsalwayswin
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In reply to IowaBear • 11:20a, 5/27/25
or a changing strategy using them? having them but not making them the center? good pickup though!!
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 11:28a, 5/27/25
IowaBear said:
Dare I say… the start of shift away from 1 n dones?
Dare I say....too early to tell?
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Bear2393
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11:37a, 5/27/25
I hope he is as good as his dad! He could be a really good player for the bears!
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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 11:46a, 5/27/25
Hey look my shadow is back. Are you upset this kid isn't a 1 n done like you prefer?
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Stefano DiMera
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12:31p, 5/27/25
Monty is a solid man so you know this kid has good ethics.

I think he was 8 or 9 when his mom was killed in a head on collision when Monty was a Thunder assistant coach.
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Mitch Henessey
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1:07p, 5/27/25
Says a lot when a guy with the integrity and pedigree of Monty Williams entrusts his kid to you. Great pickup!
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 1:12p, 5/27/25
No one here is upset. I just think a one-person recruiting class is a bit of a small sample size to claim a change in recruiting philosophy.
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boognish_bear
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1:33p, 5/27/25
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BluesBear
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1:41p, 5/27/25
I watched him play this year. Great kid. Great player. If he stays all 4 years - will go down as one of the Baylor greats....he has that kind of potential. His dad is a top notch guy as well - - - Glad to have him at Baylor.
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Big12Fan2024
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3:29p, 5/27/25
Solid! High character kid. Son of a coach, and those kids typically have a leg up on others from understanding all the fundamentals of the game.

So, 26-27 we would have Iguodala and Perez both coming off likely redshirts as well as Soyoye, the 6-10 Nigerian kid, where they were able to practice and develop their bodies for a full year. Mix in Williams and they could comprise the "youth" of the new basketball mix requiring the combo of transfers and home grown talent. Scott is doing basically everything in the exact manner he described on Matt Mosley's show last month.

Crawfoso, I understand why you've become jaded after the whole team bolted but I think the thing you're gonna have to see and accept at some point is that the majority of those who bailed this year were either told to bolt or we were not going to pour as much money into them next year and they were smart enough to bolt. The only exception, of course, being Wright. I don't think you're gonna see that again.
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Quinton
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3:32p, 5/27/25
Good sign.. the #35 - #55 rating is a potential sweet spot with good development. Seems like a small pivot in strategy, interested to see this how this class is constructed
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 3:50p, 5/27/25
I would be floored if Perez redshirts. He looks like an immediate rotation guy not a developmental guy.
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Ewalker80
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4:01p, 5/27/25
I'm sure he'll get some run early, and I'm confident Drew wants to play more people earlier in the season to build depth. Drew clearly prioritized depth and versatility, so I think the end of season rotation will depend on how everyone plays early, injuries, etc. Based on his pedigree, I suspect they envision Perez being available to contribute at some point next year if needed.
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OurOurs
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4:19p, 5/27/25
I had a feeling this was coming. I saw him in Waco a few weeks back.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 4:49p, 5/27/25
Crawfoso1973 said:
I would be floored if Perez redshirts. He looks like an immediate rotation guy not a developmental guy.
Either way, it's a plus. If he plays some, then that will be an even bigger bonus in 26-27 as he'll have some experience and we'll still have 4 young guys (Williams, Iguodala, Perez and Soyoye) to continue building around and supplemented with transfers.

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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 8:37a, 5/28/25
The last 2 of the 25 class aren't 1 n dones either.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 9:28a, 5/28/25
The past several seasons we have sprinkled in one and done guys with guys not expected to be one and done guys. We have never recruited all one and done guys. This past freshman class Asemota wasn't one and done and neither was Wright, but they left anyway. Hopefully we can get guys like Perez to stick around for more than one year and not bolt for more NIL money. Anyway, will be interesting to see how the rest of the 2026 class unfolds.
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cwpayton
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1:02p, 5/28/25
I thought every player now is a 1-and-done.
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drahthaar
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5:42p, 5/30/25
TMI has several who bear watching. Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan have sons playing there. Don't know the level of their play but that group doesn't lack for game knowledge and athletic skill.
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 7:25p, 5/31/25
IowaBear said:
Dare I say… the start of shift away from 1 n dones?
And a shift toward former NBA players' kids. Haha.
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 7:29p, 5/31/25
IowaBear said:
The last 2 of the 25 class aren't 1 n dones either.
The last three of the 25 class, correct? We added Iguodala, Perez and the project big, right?
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IowaBear
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In reply to bear2be2 • 7:34p, 5/31/25
Ahh good catch! Missed him somehow.
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