Over the years, coaching public school basketball has become an increasingly difficult task. Given the lack of funding, resources, and general restrictions on sport-focused transfers, it’s certainly become an uphill battle for many. We see more kids transfer away from public schools now than ever before. Conversely, there are still plenty of players who go against the grain, stay put, and reap the benefits of their specific situation. There’s no “correct” path to take, as every kid has their own individual journey to take, but it’s interesting to see how things differ between the two avenues. Why is this relevant? Primarily because the stage is set for sophomore duo Parker Watkins and Travien Williams to take the next step in their respective developments.
In looking at Watkins and his body of work over the last calendar year, there’s certainly a lot to like. He’s an exceptional shot-maker who can create his own shot or find opportunities without the ball. Watkins heats up quickly and consistently overwhelms opponents with his shooting, both from midrange and beyond the arc. He possesses a quick first step and is shifty enough to put defenders in disarray when creating off the bounce. Watkins is also a quality finisher and capable passer. He provides solid effort defensively and on the glass. As a freshman, Watkins averaged 11.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG. His appeal as an athletic shot-maker with size should be pretty self-explanatory. Although he’s already a noteworthy prospect, Watkins’ ceiling will only continue to grow as he improves his playmaking and scoring efficiency.
On the other side, Williams is a guy who deserves more buzz from the masses. He’s a strong, intelligent floor general who knows how to run a team with poise, toughness, and unselfishness. Williams displays tremendous pace as a point guard, methodically dictating the action and asserting himself as needed. He’s a capable scoring option but mainly looks to create for others and make the correct read. Williams breaks down opponents with relative ease and touches the paint at a high volume. He utilizes his body well to absorb contact when penetrating, finishing around the basket, and crashing the glass. Williams is also a useful cutter and midrange scorer who makes his presence felt defensively. Last season, he averaged 9.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.7 SPG. He should only continue to become a more explosive athlete and improve as a three-point shooter, which makes him virtually unstoppable. Many people regard Williams as “Ish Smith’s nephew,” so expect folks to start getting familiar with his name sooner rather than later.