After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home.
Even though the location wasn’t much of a factor.
“I actually didn’t really want to go that close to home,” Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton.
The senior-to-be is considered Iowa’s top two-way player in the Class of 2026. A combo guard, Williams picked the Bluejays over Colorado, Columbia, Harvard and Kansas State.
“I really liked Creighton and Colorado a lot,” Williams said.
In the end, though, Williams said her level of comfort with the Creighton coaches was the deciding factor. Jim Flanery has guided the Bluejays to a 453-275 record in 23 seasons with the program as well as eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I’m excited,” Williams said. “I know a couple of their players, and I’ve played with a couple of them. I hope I can make an impact there.”
Williams received more than a dozen Division I offers. The first one came nearly three years ago.
“I think it was at the St. Thomas camp going into my freshman year,” Williams said.
As a junior, Williams helped the Hawkettes to a 10-13 record. She averaged a team-high 14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while also leading Ankeny with 66 steals and 33 blocks.
Williams was a repeat selection to the Class 5A all-state second team by the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association. She was a repeat pick to the third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association.
Williams was also a repeat selection to the CIML Conference first team and to the Class 5A West all-district team. She has scored 895 career points in three varsity seasons, needing just 105 points as a senior to reach the 1,000-point career mark.
Williams is currently averaging 11.3 points and 2.5 steals on the EYBL circuit this summer. She is shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.
Creighton posted a 26-7 record last season. The Bluejays lost to Illinios, 66-57, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I hope I can (play right away),” Williams said. “This year and next year I feel like will be a lot of rebuilding for them, because they lost six or seven seniors last season and I think there are three this year. Hopefully, I can (contribute) if I put in the work.”