Recruiting Report: Destan Williams (2017)
It would not do Class of 2017 guard Destan Williams enough justice to say that he is one of the top small guards in the state. A 5’8″ senior at Pattonville High, Williams is simply one of the top point…
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Continue ReadingIt would not do Class of 2017 guard Destan Williams enough justice to say that he is one of the top small guards in the state.
A 5’8″ senior at Pattonville High, Williams is simply one of the top point guards in the state’s junior class. Williams has displayed the ability to control games with his scoring, passing and floor leadership. He does not let his lack of height him. Instead, he uses it as a source of strength and motivation.
“I feel there is a chip on my shoulder,” Williams said. “One of the favorite parts of my game is making the other team frustrated in any way possible, rather it’s on defense, getting into their head, scoring or picking them apart. I try to do the things that little guards get overlooked like getting stops on bigger guards, not getting trapped by bigger players and not turning the ball over.”
Williams has been getting interest from Division II schools such as Maryville, Emporia State, Rockhurst and Lincoln University. He is spending his spring and summer running with the Ramey-Jets United 17U team that plays in the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet Series.
“Playing in the Gauntlet is great because we have played hard against every team no matter how skilled they are,” Williams said. “This summer, I’m looking to improve on getting stronger. I’ve been in the weight room a ton already since the season ended. That has been the focus for the summer.
Williams is an ideal point guard with a high basketball IQ, the ability to set up his teammates and create offense for himself. He can score the ball in a variety of ways. He pushes the pace whenever possible to get to the basket or pull up for the short jumper in transition. If you back off of him, he can knock down the 3-pointer.
“My strengths are my ability to make plays for others and score if I have to,” Williams said. “Mainly, my IQ is the main reason why I’m successful because I have to outsmart a lot of my opponents being small.”
As a junior, Williams averaged 18.2 points, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. He had 33 points, three rebounds and six assists in a victory over Lafayette this season. He nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat MICDS 71-68 in the semifinals of the Pattonville Tournament. In another victory over University City, Williams had 18 points, 11 assists and six steals.