Mr. Basketball Candidates: Da’Monte Williams

<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In this series we take a look at the potential candidates for Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois for this upcoming season.  Here we profile Peoria Manual combo guard <strong>Da’Monte Williams</strong>.</span></span></p><p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Profile:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Williams is a 6’3” strong and athletic combo guard that boosted his stock with a monster spring and summer for the Mac Irvin Fire 16U on the travel team circuit.  The junior guard can score in a variety of ways including a sweet pull up jumper.  He showed he has all the tools to be one of the best prospects in the state regardless of class.</span></span></p> <p><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Odds to Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">20/1</span></span><br />  </p> <p><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Why he Can Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">First and foremost he has the name recognition.  His dad is former Manual and NBA guard Frank Williams.  He plays on one of the most high profile central Illinois teams and they are loaded with a trio of D1 juniors who should help them make a lot of noise come March.  Williams will get to showcase his game in high profile events throughout the state during the season against quality competition.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Obstacles to Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">After a up and down sophomore season will he take his new found confidence from the summer into the season or revert back to just being one of the guys?  Playing alongside him will be talented juniors AJ Youngman and Romon Douglas-Watkins who are both scorers and will look to put up numbers.  Will Williams production get cut some because he has to share the spotlight three ways?</span></span></p>