Introducing F Jadakiss Williams (2019)
The 16u AAU level is a wonderful kaleidescope of skills and development. Some 16u players are college-ready and others are supreme athletes still figuring out their way in the lovely game of basketball.
Jadakiss Williams is the latter. There is no denying Jadakiss’ bounce and strength around the rim. He has a fearlessness and bravery in the thick of the lane’s forest that few grown men have.
The summer months of Jadakiss were spent competing with Team Thad 16u. Williams played primarily forward and also saw some minutes out on the wing.
How did he do?
Evaluation
Junior Jadakiss Williams (Raleigh- Egypt) is a springy forward.
He is high energy. Offensively he tends to drift to the low block. He wants to be a small forward. It is tough to project his future position. He looks like Hakim Warrick. Long, lean explosive, but not really a perimeter defender.
Perhaps Williams can morph into Miles Bridges (Michigan State). Bridges was a 15u and 16u undersized power forward. Like Williams, Bridges was extremely athletic and bouncy. Both dominated around the hoop.
Bridges developed his outside shot rapidly though. He also has an uncanny balance for a 6-foot-7 man. Will Williams develop the same kind of defensive lateral mobility? This will be integral in the coming months.
If Jadakiss can prove to college coaches his adaptability on the perimeter his value will skyrocket. The young man already defends well in the open floor, runs well, and finishes in tight. The foundation for HM recruiting is there now.
“(Jadakiss) is a freak athlete,” said Team Thad 16u AAU Coach Josh Weeden. “He is very strong. He is very aggressive. One thing that Jadakiss could work on is his presence on the court as a leader. Be more of a calm player and not get into hissy fits with other players on other teams. He is very good. He is very skilled. He rebounds well. Very aggressive.”
Williams plays with that enviable fire. Occasionally you find guys with deep passion turn a little sour and squabble with opponents. The key for coaches and for Jadakiss himself is to find a perfect balance between playing with fire and not disrupting your own team’s flow and energy.
“Jadakiss is tough,” said AAU teammate Antonio Thomas. “He won’t back down from anybody if they are bigger than him or if they are ranked higher. He won’t back down from anybody. He gonna fight.”
Williams earned Memphis Commercial Appeal A-AA ALL-METRO TEAM alongside guys like Brandon Bailey (Craigmont), Josh Conrad (W.E.B. DuBois); Deshun Davis (MLK Prep), Arecko Gipson (MASE); Kavion Hancock, Sheffield; Parrish Hewitt, Douglass; Michael James, Raleigh-Egypt; D.J. Jackson, Fayette-Ware; Joe Johnson, Mitchell, etc.
The key for Jadakiss will be perimeter defense and handle. He certainly has the makings of a versatile wing.
“He can defend the perimeter too, but I think in college he is going to be more of a 3,” said Coach Weeden. “His rebounding is excellent. His defense is excellent because it sets the tone. Jadakiss sets the tone. We are really going to have a really good game because he is our cornerstone on defense. He is our anchor on defense.”
Does his high school coach allow him to develop that perimeter game?
“It all depends on the matchup in high school,” said Coach Weeden. “Most guys that are 6-foot-7 in high school are stuck down on the block in high school, but his coach allows him to roam, get out there on the break. he is very athletic in transition.”
For Jadakiss Williams the future will be decided by how he handles it. The basketball. The energy. The skills.
“He can the handle well,” said Coach Weeden. “He is a mid-major kid.”