Jamaal Williams assembled a collection of college-bound basketball all-stars, but the Seattle Rotary coach needed a linchpin to bind them together.
And not just anybody.
That person had to be strong willed, selfless and secure enough to coexist on a talent-rich summer AAU team highlighted by Jaden McDaniels, RaeQuan Battle, Paolo Banchero and Noah Williams.
“It was the perfect situation,” Williams said. “Jaden and Rae hadn’t made their name. Noah didn’t have expectations. These guys were D-1 recruits, but they didn’t have that fame attached to them.
“When Marcus Tsohonis came, we had success.”
Williams, a former Washington Husky standout, has watched closely while Tsohonis has recently made a rapid ascent from the bottom of UW’s roster and into a starring role.