All-star games might mean more for Williams than some players. He said he is still developing his game against top talent, having played one summer for the New England Playaz Amateur Athletic Union team.
"I'm trying to go from a high school body to a college body," said Williams, who weighs 245 pounds.
Maryland had no center this past season, starting three guards. That fact was not lost on Williams and Padgett, who hope to make an immediate impact.
Padgett's high school coach, Dwayne "Tiny" Morton, is coaching the U.S. stars in Sunday's game.
Morton said of Padgett's game: "His footwork under the basket is unbelievable for a 17-year-old."
Padgett was a Lincoln High teammate of Lance Stephenson, the highly touted guard who has yet to announce where he will attend college. Stephenson is not participating in Sunday's game.
Padgett was asked Friday night whether Maryland is still in Stephenson's thinking.
"I asked him," Padgett said. "He said he's really open about it."
charm city challenge
When: Sunday
First game: City vs. County, 3 p.m.
Second game: Baltimore vs. U.S., 5 p.m.
Where: Towson Center
