At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we try to highlight guys who are under-recruited by college coaches or overlooked by the masses. This edition will feature Jasean Williams of Wesleyan Christian.
We’ve watched Williams since his elementary school days, recently stating, “Although his scoring numbers won’t reflect his impact, Williams was a visible difference-maker for this group. He’s an incredible teammate who does all the little things and dirty work on the court. Williams plays with phenomenal energy and unselfishness. He’s a rugged defender whose length and motor naturally overwhelm opponents. Williams appeared comfortable defending any position on the floor, including post players, and making his presence felt on the glass. He filled in the gaps offensively, but primarily looked to make the right play. The aforementioned scoring outburst in the third quarter' Williams was in foul trouble and unable to provide his usual amount of infectious energy. College-level player.”
Given how most kids approach the game, Williams is quite unique. So many players are fixated on standing out individually rather than doing things for the betterment of the team. Williams undoubtedly belongs in the second category, as he’s a smart, tough, incredibly unselfish addition to any collection of pieces. He’s a natural glue-guy who truly does everything on the court. Williams consistently initiates the offense, sets up his teammates in scoring positions, and fills in the gaps as needed. He scores within the flow of the action. Williams is a quality penetrator and finisher, but also regularly finds scoring chances through his motor and rebounding sense. On the other end, he’s a great defender with long arms, terrific activity, and sharp instincts—allowing him to contain opponents and force turnovers at a nice rate. Williams is an excellent teammate and overall person who would be an asset for several types of college programs.