Another of the top young guards in the Derby City, Williams had a solid role for Manual this past year and could be a go-to scorer for the Crimson next year. Eli can play on or off the ball but his best position for the next year or two is likely playing off the ball as Dario Harper Dario Harper 5'8" | PG DuPont Manual | 2028 State KY runs the team for Manual.

Eli is one of Kentucky’s top 2029 guards and he showed why this past weekend at the Grassroots Showcase. His bag off the dribble continues to evolve as does his confidence. He used a crafty package of spin moves and hesitations to get to his spots consistently. His speed and decisiveness with the ball in his hands stood out as well as his ability to finish around the rim. Eli’s shooting, however, is one of the more underrated areas of his game. He’s more than comfortable using a hard dribble or two to get to a sweet spot in the midrange, especially when going right. His athleticism comes in handy when doing so as he tends elevate just a fraction of a second longer than his defenders to give himself just enough space to knock down shots.

-He runs with 502 Elite 15U

-10 points

-He first caught my eye with a perfect middy pull-up

-I appreciate how he changes speeds, creates space & keeps the D off balance

-Quick & twitchy

-Looked good finding shooters

-Drilled another silky smooth mid-range J

-Fast on the hardwood, I like his potential

-Cut, catch, cashed the short jump-shot

Eli was another top performer at our freshman showcase event and he didn’t even dress varsity this season at Manual. WIlliams has the potential to be a really good slasher on the ball and has the size to guard multiple positions on the other end of the court. He will be playing on the Nike circuit and should have opportunity to prove himself.

I’m a big fan of Williams and think he would start at 90%+ of the schools in Kentucky (if not more). As a freshman, Eli is playing a role off the bench for Manual but should be an impact player as soon as his Sophomore campaign. Short term, Williams should be tested by playing on the Nike 15E circuit during AAU with Ohio based Bates Fundamentals.

One of my favorite guards at our Freshman showcase back in August, Williams enters this season with expectations of having a big role for Manual this year. Capable of playing either on or off the ball, Eli is an excellent slasher who can get downhill in a hurry. His overall shooting needs to continue improving as his game develops but Williams is another talented guard in a very good class in the city of Louisville.

Eli was one of the most athletic players at the event. He had many highlight plays that stood out. Eli had a very quick first step, burned almost every defender off the dribble. He played down hill all day. Eli also impressed with his elite vision. He will dominate for DuPont Manual on both ends of the floor as he also was another strong defender that could keep guys in front and not get knocked off his spot.

One of the best guards in Louisville’s Freshman class, Eli lived up to his reputation on Saturday when he showcased his shiftiness and quick first step on the way to the rim. Williams is likely to have the chance to play major minutes at Manual this season and looks like he’s ready for the opportunity, even if he still needs to add some muscle to his frame.

Williams is a popular name as one of the best potential freshmen in Louisville. He’s quick and knows how to score the ball consistently. In a camp full of good guards, it will be interesting to see how much Eli stands out.