Boys’ basketball: The pride of La Mirada

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They held a community barbecue on Saturday in La Mirada, and the kid who grew up in the area, went to the local high school for four years and became a national celebrity came back to his hometown to sign autographs.

Yes, Derrick Williams has never forgotten where he came from. He became an All-American at Arizona and was the second pick overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Most important, he loves La Mirada. He stayed for four years at La Mirada High School. He was never going to transfer during an era of transfers.

So there he was on Saturday, smiling and hanging out with members of the community.

How refreshing. How poignant. How so Derrick Williams.

-- Eric Sondheimer