BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Following a 25-10 season, a Western Athletic Conference regular-season Championship, and a run to the NIT semifinals in Madison Square Garden, the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball team is continuing to strengthen the program with the addition of Darius Williams to the 2018-19 squad in the early signing period.

Head Coach Rod Barnes and staff announced Williams' signing of a National Letter of Intent on Thursday morning. "This is a great start to the class," Barnes said. "We are extremely excited about Darius signing with us. We feel he is just what we needed to help keep our program moving forward."

Originally from Newark, N.J., Williams graduate from The Robinson School, where he led the Phoenixes to an American Independent Post Grad Athletic Conference (AIPGAC) Championship while being named AIPGAC Player of the Year. Williams averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks a game, helping The Robinson School to a 31-2 record and a No. 2 national ranking.

Williams then traveled from New Jersey to Texas to compete at Paris Junior College last year. In his freshman season, Williams helped the Dragons with an efficient eight points per game on 51.4% shooting from the field. He also chipped in for 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists a contest.

While at Paris JC, Williams was a top player in the Mullins Top 100 Camp and was a Juco-Showcase All-Star at the Elite 80 East Camp. He will continue to develop while completing his second season at Paris JC before coming to CSUB.

Barnes described Williams and what he brings to the Roadrunners on the court: "He fits what we do here. He is a very unselfish player who is long, athletic, and skilled with size and length. He is a versatile player who can play inside and outside. Also, Darius has been well-coached by Coach Taylor and Coach Robinson."

A two-time WAC Don Haskins Coach of the Year honoree, Barnes expects to sign two more future `Runners in the 2018-19 signing class.

~GoRunners.com~