UC Irvine Signs Point Guard From Oakland

Zuri Williams, a point guard from Oakland Bishop O’Dowd High School, has signed a letter of intent to attend UC Irvine on a basketball scholarship, Williams said Wednesday.

Williams becomes Coach Rod Baker’s first recruit since Baker was hired last month to replace Bill Mulligan, who retired at the end of the season after posting three consecutive losing records.

A 6-foot-2 guard, Williams averaged 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and five steals for Bishop O’Dowd, which finished with a 24-9 record. He recently was named most valuable player of the Bay Bridge Classic, a Bay Area all-star game.

“I made the decision last week,” Williams said. “I liked Southern California and, most importantly, I like the coach. He’s coming in for his first year and so there will be pressure for us to perform.

“I like Baker because he stresses grades and he’s sort of a father-figure.”