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JW1.jpg

Jake Williams

Sidwell Friends (DC)

Global Squad (UAA)

Class

2024

Height

~6'4"

Weight

~170 lbs

Position

SG

Strong Hand

Right

Level

Low D1

August 2023

Statistical Sample from the Winter/Spring/Summer

Jake Williams Stats.jpg
Other Offensive Qualities
Offensive Qualities

  • A floor-spacing shooting guard who majors in off-ball movement to maximize his specialist qualities

  • Knock-down 3-point shooter who understands his role and excels in it

    • Plays within himself and rarely attempts to venture outside of his strengths

  • Moves off the ball with an understanding of space and time. Crucially, he usually does so with the purpose of getting an open look.

    • Will feel the defender’s position and move accordingly

    • Uses the curl cut with Richard Hamilton intentions – rising into a 16-17 footer without having to put it on the floor

      • Keeps the curl tight – looks to get his shoulder inside first, seal the defender with his body, and then keep him on his back as he comes off shoulder-to-shoulder with the screener

  • Fades and flares off the down screen appropriately

  • Relocates off penetration, shuffling to corners and lifting to wings

    • Understands that making himself visible on the perimeter for the drive-and-kick includes being in the right spot

    • Pays attention to the ball handler and looks to move off of where he is going to be, creating space for the spot-up catch-and-shoot

  • Capable of continuous movement – he will move throughout the course of an entire 30-second possession if spacing and concept permit

  • Showing growth in off-ball craft by implementing changes of pace, misdirection steps, the use of his hands, angles, and the use of his body to improve the odds of getting a look at the basket

  • Will increase the frequency of his open looks by becoming a better screener himself

  • More comfortable moving right as he comes off the screen than left

  • Proven that he understands how to be effective in the half-court by efficiently using his dribbles and concentrating on his proficiencies

    • Scores within the flow of his game, as well as the flow of the overall game at-large

  • Really knows his way up-and-down the lanes, getting out quickly and to his spots accordingly. Hurts defenses in semi-transition from the wings and corners.

  • Thrives in offensive systems and concepts that include designed, purposeful movement.

    • Serves as an instrument for space creation in pick-and-roll-heavy offenses, helping to create driving lanes and outlets for penetrators who attack the interior. Importantly, he shoots the corner 3 well.

  • Understands how to leverage his shooting ability into opportunities against hard closeouts and pressure on the perimeter. Growing in the practical application of those opportunities.

    • Capable of attacking hard closeouts with a shot fake, one-dribble and two-dribble pull-ups, and the occasional straight-line drive

      • Has a tendency to predictably go right when putting it on the floor

  • Should experience an immediate step in improvement simply by becoming stronger and more confident with the ball

  • Has a small tendency to get in a hurry to get rid of it if he doesn’t have the shot

  • A significant portion of his FTA come from being fouled on the jump shot

  • Improving in his ability to capitalize on advantages as the decision maker, such as getting the defender to commit on a “wing 2-on-1” situation

    • Strives to make the right play

  • Concentrating on improving in his ability to impact the game outside of shooting the ball, he’s taking steps forward in becoming a more well-rounded player

Shooting
Shooting

  • Very good overall shooter whom defenses must be aware of while on the floor

    • An elite 3-point marksman

  • Sky-high-percentage spot-up 3-point shooter who’s comfortable putting it up from all-around the perimeter. This is when he’s at his best.

  • Shot 41.6 3P% on 89 total attempts in 19 games charted (4.7 per game). These numbers include 2 games where he shot a combined 3-for-21 3PA on tired legs. Take those two games away and he is at 50.0 3P% on 4.0 attempts per game (68 total attempts).

    • Shot a blistering 48.6 3P% (18-for-37) on the UAA circuit in roughly 13-14 minutes per game off the bench, highlighting his ability to stay ready and warm up quickly

      • 12 games total (3.1 3PA per game)

  • His ability to fill it up from various 3-point spots and in multiple capacities adds to his ability to fit into different offensive systems/concepts

  • Can knock it down against a heavy contest. His decisiveness on the catch often leads to him catching and shooting without hesitation, earning him the time necessary within close quarters.

  • Solid midrange shooter with upside to grow

    • Takes advantage of his catch-and-shoot opportunities created with his off-ball movement

    • Shot a decent percentage on a selective diet of off the dribble midrange attempts, mainly 1-and-2-dribble pull-ups from 15-18 feet

  • ​Strong movement shooter who forces defenders to chase and stay attached. While this is a strength of his, he also possesses upside for even greater effectiveness in this area of his game.

  • Comes off the screen ready to shoot

  • Comfortable coming off one or more screens, moving into the shot, catching, and shooting in nearly one continuous motion

  • Shot a higher percentage moving to his right off the screen, as opposed to moving left

  • Will benefit from continuing to add to his ability to shoot the one-dribble pull-up 3-pointer as a means of creating additional space when he catches on the move

  • Flashed this capability on a pair of occasions (2-for-5 in 17 games)

  • Has a small tendency to lose concentration on the rim when the defender is attempting to recover from behind. Predominantly takes place when he’s moving left off the screen, since he doesn’t have his body (left shoulder) to shield the ball/release.

  • Possesses nice range that includes the ability to catch and shoot from NBA 3-point distance with enough accuracy for his coach to be comfortable with the shot, whether spotting up or off of movement

  • Doesn’t allow the last miss(es) to affect his confidence. Shooters shoot and he will keep shooting with the belief that he’s going to make the next one.

    • Importantly, it doesn’t impact his shot selection either

  • Shot selection notes

    • Displays good judgment overall. Comprehends the difference between a good and bad shot.

    • Is always ready to fire but aptly allows sound judgment of the game’s situation to guide his aggression level

    • ~68% of all attempts came from 3 in 17 games charted

    • ~13% of all attempts came from around the rim

      • Shot 60% on these shots (9-for-15)

      • Came in transition and a handful of straight-line drives originating from the perimeter

    • The remainder of attempts (~19%) came from the midrange area (mainly 15-17 feet)

  • Calculated footwork that serves as the foundation for sound mechanics

    • Ensures they are set, pointed to the rim, and shoulder width apart (see more details on his mechanics below)

    • Rarely shoots when his feet are not set

    • Plants his pivot foot and swings around on the catch to give him leverage into the shot when coming up off of the down screen

    • Much more comfortable shooting with his left foot as his established pivot foot

  • Will improve by continuing to quicken the process from catch-to-release, including quickening the process of getting his feet set

  • Mechanics/form

    • Feet shoulder width apart, with the right foot pointed slightly inward to support his small right knee inversion

    • Consistently square shoulders

    • Elbow is at a 90-degree angle or minutely lower

    • Release from eye level

    • Dependable snap of the wrist on the follow through

    • Releases the ball on the way up after a small shooter’s dip that generates adequate lower body energy transference to the upper body. This energy transfer goes straight up through the shot, resulting in a jumper with moderate elevation, regardless of the shot’s type or distance, and a very healthy arc.

Dribbling
Dribbling

  • Maximizes his impact by working within the limitations of his handle and keeping the use of his dribbles efficient

    • Only puts it on the floor when necessary

      • Typically gets off the ball after 2-3 dribbles

      • Will use up to 5 dribbles when looking to buy time and allow off-ball movement to develop

      • Minimizes attempts to handle against ball pressure away from the basket

  • Flashes functionality with uses of the dribble draw and instances of sealing the defender with his body

  • Eyes are up on the drive

  • Normally turns his back to the defense in order to change hands/directions outside of an occasional use of the crossover

  • Will benefit from keeping the ball lower and increasing the use of his body to protect the ball

    • Tends to square his shoulders to the defense and leave the ball susceptible to thievery

Passing
Passing

  • Unselfish player who provides connective passing contributions around the perimeter

    • Has no problem finding the open man

  • Conservate decision maker who consistently looks to make the right, simple play with the pass

    • Leads to healthy overall ball security

  • Solid post feeder who uses proper passing angles from the wings, while taking the fundamental approach of faking high and throwing low

  • Will advance the ball with the pass

  • Struggles as a passer against ball pressure

  • Flashes his ability to pass off the dribble, occasionally delivering to back doors and slashing rim cutters

  • Owns basic drive-and-kick qualities

Defense
Defense

  • A cerebral defender who takes this end seriously

  • On the ball

    • Strategy is to contain the drive and force a contested jumper

  • Can struggle to contain the dribble drive against a crafty or persistent dribble driver

  • Will benefit from getting lower in his stance to increase quickness, balance and strength, as he has a tendency to get knocked off the ball when the ball handler creates contact with the shoulder

  • Closes out with a comfortable, wide base to maximize his initial coverage and provide balance to react. Again, he’d rather contest the jumper than give up the dribble drive, looking to contain and let his team’s defense set in.

    • Defends the point of catch and attack rather effectively with this approach, thanks to encouraging exhibits of staying in front and denying his man’s initial move

  • Off the ball

    • Excellent understanding of defensive positioning. Consistently makes timely rotations and maintains proper ball-you-man positioning.

      • Holds balanced attention between the ball and his man

      • Decent on the deny, taking advantage of sound technique and positioning

      • Capable of playing the passing lanes with anticipation, using his length to record deflections and pick up steals

      • While he practices proper positioning, he can sometimes lack decisiveness on the help side to step in and redirect. Instead, he elects to step and reach with occasional success.

  • Like most, he will benefit from playing in a defensive position more consistently

  • Good communicator

  • Makes the effort to fight through screens/get around screens. Looks to take the best route through the traffic.

  • Willing to give up his body for the charge while actively hunting for opportunities

    • Has a small tendency to show the charge too soon, giving the ball handler time to adjust and avert

  • Gets back on defense and finds the middle of the lane to anchor his retreating teammates

IQ
Feel/IQ

  • Consistently finishes possessions by finding someone to put a body on, even from the perimeter

    • Ensures the ball is secured before running the lane

  • Owns a good overall understanding of the game, and displays as much on both ends of the court

  • Self-aware player who understands his strengths and deficiencies, and plays to maximize and minimize each, respectively

  • Capable of running sets/concepts from multiple positions on the floor

    • Knows where everyone is supposed to be offensively

  • Owns solid fundamentals

  • Aware of time and score

  • Limits mistakes on both ends

  • Steadily increasing ability to read the defense without the ball and move accordingly

Dispostion/Presence
Intangibles/Disposition

  • Calm disposition. Remains even-keeled on the court.

  • Has become more vocal and willing to direct his teammates

  • Confident in his abilities and doesn’t allow struggles to deter him

    • Mistakes typically do not affect his body language, effort, or willingness to continue being aggressive offensively

  • Plays with a present mind and is apt to make heads-up plays, like crashing the offensive glass when his man’s slacking or breaking a set play to take advantage of an opportunity

  • Competes with a regular motor – not high but not low

  • A competitor who plays to win

Physical/Athleticism
Athleticism/Bio

  • 4.0 GPA – excellent student

  • Good stamina. Will benefit from continuing to build it up so that he maxes out his conditioning to support his playing style and skillset.

  • Game is not predicated upon athleticism

    • Uses his cerebral approach to compensate practically

  • Improving functional strength on both ends. His game should take a leap with improvements.

  • A high-finesse player who plays with toughness, while learning to play through contact as teams try to limit his movement and knock him around off the ball

  • Will benefit from improving his flexibility

  • Possesses solid anticipatory qualities

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