Introducing Deovaunta Williams (2019)
Team Thad 16u collectively turned heads in July with college coaches watching. One of Team Thad 16u Coach Josh Weeden’s top players in July was Deovaunta Williams (PrepHoopsTn #15).
Williams provided PrepHoops.com an exclusive interview after a solid victory over M33M 16u Prospects.
“My just shot improved,” said Deovaunta Williams.
The point guard demonstrated elite speed during Bluff City Live. Playing with another top flight point guard Antonio Thomas, Williams played both on and off the ball. For Team Thad 16u he was essentially a combo guard capable of scoring in bunches.
Williams has grown to 6-foot-2 and might survive as a D1 shooting guard, but he wants to be clear…point guard is his future.
Deovaunta Williams (#5) and Antonio Thomas (#1) shared the Team Thad 16u backcourtThis winter Deovaunta Williams will suit up for Raleigh-Egypt High School. He has two seasons of high school basketball left.
What are his basketball goals?
“Try to make it to the NBA or overseas,” said Williams.
In an effort to make that dream a reality Williams continuously engages in “individual workouts.”
“Coming off screens and jump shots,” said Williams. “Getting shots up everyday.”
Williams is an improved outside shooter and his slashing gets more and more domineering as he gains height and matures into his lean body. He is proud of the gains made in his agility and shooting in the last year.
Weaknesses Williams wants to address include “probably defense and rebounding.”
The future for Williams looks bright as evidenced by his UT Martin offer and other courters.
“Campbell…they showed me a lot of interest,” said Williams. “They came to the last two tournaments (in July).”
Campbell Push
The Campbell University Camels coaching staff includes CU Assistant Coach Kenneth White. Coach White watched all of Williams’ games in Memphis mid-July.
“They said they like my offense and my defense,” said Williams of Campbell’s communication.
Coach White has connections back in Memphis. He coached M33M AAU for a bit and also coached Lausanne Collegiate when Skal Labissiere and Cameron Payne attended.
With Campbell, Coach White directs the guards in practice. It makes sense that he is hunting a future point guard to be the anchor of his program’s backcourt.
Of course, Deovaunta Williams is in no way beholden to Campbell of any college at this early stage of his recruitment. It is an interesting storyline to monitor as more schools join the pursuit.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a third intrigued school.
Follow @PrepHoopsTN for continued coverage of Deovaunta Williams.