By Don Ketchum

While the debate continues about who is the best male basketball player in the state, one thing is certain – Phoenix North senior post player Alan Williams deserves to be included in the discussion.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Williams was selected to The Arizona Republic’s Class 5A All-State First Team as a junior last season, when North won its second straight Class 5A state championship.

This season, Williams is intent on bringing a third straight state title trophy to the campus in the heart of downtown Phoenix, and his numbers indicate he is making another significant impact.

According to MaxPreps, he was averaging 23.7 points, 16.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game through Jan. 13. His season high in points was 43 against Phoenix Central in the Phoenix Union High School District holiday tournament, and he has combined for 49 rebounds in two games against Central.

“I know it sounds like a cliché, but my goal this year is to win another state championship,’’ Williams said. “Winning a title would mean everything.

“I know we can do it. We believe in ourselves. We are capable of doing whatever we need to do.’’

It has been a long, tough, rewarding road for Williams. He is the son of former Phoenix City Councilman and current South Phoenix Justice of the Peace Cody Williams and former Phoenix Assistant Chief of Police Jeri Williams, who recently was named Chief of Police in Oxnard, Calif.

Because his father was a star basketball player under coach Royce Youree during the glory days of Phoenix East High, Alan was expected to excel.

It didn’t happen right away. He entered North with a great deal of potential, but admittedly was somewhat overweight. A foot injury compounded that situation. He sat out most of the time, and his season fell below expectations.

North coach Joseph Bustos said Williams vowed to turn things around. He started working out harder, some of the time with a personal trainer, and began to shed the weight. He also played club basketball, and his play on the floor improved considerably.

“I did a lot of running, lifting and flipping tires around,’’ Williams said.

Did he get discouraged and wonder what he had gotten himself into?

“No, not really,’’ he said. “It was more like, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?’ It was tough, but I can honestly say that I never felt like giving up.’’

His stock continued to rise as a junior, where college recruiters began to notice, and in November of 2010 he signed a letter-of-intent to play for the University of California-Santa Barbara.

“Just when you think he can’t get any better, he does. It has been pretty amazing. He still has a lot of potential that he is capable of reaching,’’ Bustos said.

The coach added that Williams loves the physical contact.

Williams said that is true. He said he tried football early in high school, but stuck with basketball.

“You can still hit people hard out on the court,’’ he said.

He should, however, not be confused with a player whose sole purpose is to knock an opponent several rows up into the gymnasium seats.

Bustos said Williams is a fun-loving sort, laughing and joking with his teammates, including brother Cody, a 6-foot-5 junior. But Alan knows when it’s all about business.

“There’s just a switch that he turns on. He knows the difference about when to have fun and when to be serious,’’ Bustos said.

Said Williams: “I’m as serious as I need to be. I’m a leader on the team, but I don’t yell at guys. I try to encourage them, you know, “That’s all right, get it next time.’ Whatever the team needs. I’m not like a robot.

“I will say that I can get pretty intense. I look at it that every rebound should be my rebound. If we lose, I take it personally. I sit down and think about what I’m doing or not doing out there.’’

Williams knows he needs to improve, particularly with his shooting, to play consistently at the next level.

He is looking forward to going to UCSB, and will be less than an hour’s drive away from where his mother will work, allowing her to see him play. His dad and brother also will show up, too.

“The best thing about this year is that my brother is here to be part of it, to share it. I want to pass along the torch to him. He is more offense-oriented, while I play defense and work the glass. It’s a good combination.’’