Derek Piper:
Future150 Midwest Analyst Covering high & middle school basketball. IL, IN, KY, OH, MI, MO & WI
North Augusta, SC (Future150) -- Four-star small forward and Illini commit D.J. Williams has taken his game to an entirely different level this summer.
After a mediocre junior season at Simeon—averaging 10 points, six rebounds and four assists—things have really begun to click for Williams, who has as much high-end potential as anyone in the state of Illinois. There’s more of a spark or hunger to his game, which he said originated after his team’s loss to Whitney Young in the sectional semifinals last season. It’s a game that still lingers in the back of his mind, but he uses it as motivation.
“After that game, I just had a different mindset. I want to end my high school career off with a state championship. Simeon is known for winning state, so I don’t wanna be the team that they say ‘this team didn’t win state.’ My senior year, I wanna go out on the platform holding the trophy up,” Williams said.
This summer, Williams has brought a newfound aggression to the court. It’s something his game has needed, and the results speak for themselves. Williams averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists with Simeon in Dubai—playing against some of the top teams in the country. In the championship game against Montverde Academy, Williams exploded for 32 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
“All my coaches have been telling me to stay aggressive, so I wanted to come in this spring and summer and stay aggressive, and that’s why I’ve been playing really good,” he said. “Just being consistently aggressive, working hard and my defense has been a big part too.”
Williams normally plays AAU with MeanStreets and Kentucky commit Charles Matthews, but he spent last week playing with Playground Elite (WI) in the Elite Youth Invitational. With Williams, Henry Ellenson and Nick Noskowiak leading the charge, Playground Elite won the championship. During the week, some of the Illini coaches made sure to watch and show their support for their top 2015 commit. Head coach John Groce was in attendance on Friday night, and it was something that was greatly appreciated by Williams.
“Just showing love, showing support, showing that they’re loyal. They still come even though I’m already committed, it shows it’s a true family,” he said.
Right now, Groce and his staff are trying to the extend the family by landing some of the top prospects in the country like Carlton Bragg, Jalen Brunson, Jawun Evans, Elijah Thomas and others. Williams has taken on his own recruiting responsibilities since his commitment last November, and it has started with his close friend Thomas.
“Elijah, that’s my boy, I talk to him pretty much every day. I’m trying to get him. If he doesn’t come, I wish the best for him but that’s my No. 1 target right now—and Jawun Evans,” he said.
So what is Williams’ biggest selling point to guys who can go to programs all over the country?
“Coach Groce,” he said. “Coach Groce is an amazing person. He’s new to the program and I think he’s got big things coming his way. I just wanna win a Big Ten championship, national championship, and the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the NCAA.”
Williams concluded his AAU career on Sunday, and now he will head to USA Basketball tryouts on Thursday for the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship in August. If the trend continues, he is well on his way to reaching that high ceiling that has been there from Day One.
Williams is just now coming into his own.
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