Triad Preview Series: Williams
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As we enter the Dog Days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2023-2024 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Welcome to the Triad Preview Series, a five-part, in-depth look at the best basketball the Triad has to offer. Today’s piece will feature Williams, a well-respected public school program in Burlington.
Cam’ron Jones Cam’ron Jones 6’3″ | SF Williams | 2025 State NC is a guy I’ve already seen rise in the stocks this year, and I know he’s nowhere near done yet. The class of 2025 combo guard was the heart and soul of a rebuilding Williams team last season. In 2022-2023, Jones proved he was able to show up and show out for a Bulldog squad that desperately needed it. Simply put, he was that dude all season. That showed real maturity for only sophomore. Jones is one of the toughest, scrappiest guards I’ve seen in the state all season. At 6’3″, he uses his frame to his advantage on offense. He attacks the rim with a crazy look in his eye that guys on defense can only dream to defend. Has a consistent yet still improving three-point shot that makes him a threat from behind the arc. On defense, Jones plays his man up close and personal. His long wingspan and attention to detail account for a lot of well-timed blocks down low and steals in the lane. Great team player on defense. Does a nice job of moving his feet and staying straight on closeouts. Plays aggressively without fouling. As the leader of a rebuilding Williams team during his sophomore season, Jones was forced to grow up fast. Now that he is settled into his role as this team’s primary scorer and go-to guy, expect Jones’ game to take a huge leap this summer. This guy’s stock has and will continue to rise
Amari Gibbs
Amari Gibbs
Amari Gibbs is an under-the-radar prospect from the class of 2025 with a lot to like. Weighing in at nearly 260 lbs of muscle, Gibbs is a flat-out stud on both ends of the floor. His build has a lot to do with it. Not often do you find a 260-pound prospect who can run the floor, jump, and attack the basket like Gibbs. Despite his linebacker build, Gibbs has constant control of his body and impressive footwork. Gibbs is an absolute problem at the rim. His massive frame, paired with a quick first step, makes him a strong driver to the basket. Gibbs attacks the basket with purpose while keeping himself composed and in a basketball state of mind. Outside shooting is something I’ve seen Gibbs steadily improve with. You can expect him to dedicate some serious hours to getting outside shots up this summer. An improved jump shot will make Gibbs a dynamic scoring threat with multiple ways to get open looks. Gibbs is an unselfish team player who does whatever it takes to win. He excels in the pick and roll, with his chest straight up and his feet planted at the high post. Gibbs is an elite offensive rebounder who provides second-chance points for his squad. Defensively, Gibbs is a warrior. He’s an all-around defender who loves to compete on the glass and down low. His size and athleticism allow him to guard 1-5 off switches and hold it down. With a Williams team expected to bounce back from a rebuilding 2022-2023, expect Amari Gibbs to be a key piece in the development of this ball club.
Josiah Love
Josiah Love
Josiah Love is one of the fastest-rising bigs in the class of 2024. Despite flying under the radar for the majority of his high school career, that is all about to change. Josiah Love is due for a breakout 2023-2024 and the attention he deserves. At 6’4″, Love is a strong, athletic stretch four who is extremely effective in his role down low. Love is an elite offensive rebounder, gets a ton of easy putback buckets, and is the kind of prospect who impacts the game in more ways than the stats sheet can keep track of. What is most apparent from Love’s game is his competitive spirit. This is a kid who channels his aggression in the best ways possible when his feet touch the hardwood. Love is tough, scrappy, and an all-out competitor in every play. He sets the tone and provides a spark of energy that gives this team momentum. Love is a skilled defender who comes up big in the clutch. He gets stops when it matters most and pushes the ball out in transition. Love moves his feet exceptionally well for a prospect with his build and is disciplined underneath the basket in not giving fouls. With some key departures in the frontcourt, expect Josiah Love to have a bigger presence on this new-look Williams team. They need him, and I know he’ll step up.
Kaden Janashak
Kaden Janashak
Another noteworthy prospect out of Williams is class of 2025 wing Caden Janashak. What stands out most with Jananshak is his ability to shoot the ball, especially from behind the arc. At 6’4″, Janashak is a sharpshooter who can create open looks on and off the ball. He’s got a high and quick release that makes his shots tough to defend. As a deep ball threat in bold on his scouting report, Janashak has learned to get to the basket and create at the rim. He’s a long, athletic prospect who can get to the rim in a bounce or two. Janashak is a tough finisher who has proven he is more than just a three-point shooter. He’s a team player who this squad feels comfortable running their offense through. Janashak plays with an elite basketball IQ and knows when to take over games. He’s got that dog mentality that allows him to step up and take command of the offense; something this team needs in 2023-2024. As one of the primary scoring options on this Williams roster, expect Caden Janashak to get even more open looks and continue to prove he is a versatile scoring threat all 2023-2024.