South Alabama basketball signs in-state JUCO standout Stephen Williams of Coastal Alabama

South Alabama basketball signed Coastal Alabama Community College-South forward Stephen Williams on Wednesday, the first day of the spring signing period.

The 6-foot-9 Williams was a second-team All-Alabama Community College Conference pick this past season, when he averaged 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and two blocks per game. A former star at Escambia County High School in Atmore, he has three years of eligibility remaining.

“Stephen is a major addition to our program,” South Alabama coach Richie Riley said. “Not only because he’s going to be a big-time player but the type of person he is every day. His ability to be a dominant presence inside is something we’ve not had here in a while. There truly is no ceiling for him and I’m pumped to have him in our family.”

Williams joins a South Alabama 2025 recruiting class that includes high school signees Desmond Williams of Baker (no relation to Stephen) and Samuel Shoptaw of Windermere (Fla.) Prep as well as transfer portal additions Brian Hawthorne (Rockhurst University), Chaze’ Harris (Life University) and Peyton Law (Freed-Hardeman). The Jaguars are expected to add at least one more player through the portal in the current cycle.

South Alabama went 21-11 in 2024-25, earning a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular-season championship for the first time in 17 years.