When the Buckeyes hit the court on Sunday against Walsh University, one of the major things head coach Thad Matta and his coaching staff will be looking for is a defensive presence to replace graduating senior Dallas Lauderdale. With Jared Sullinger moving over to the power forward position,the center position is an open battle between Boston College transfer Evan Ravenel, Amir Williams and fellow Michigan Prep star Trey McDonald.
Today we take a look at the best defensive player of the bunch in Amir Williams, who many believe could earn a starting spot early in the year with the right showing in exhibition play. The 6’11” Detroit Country Day star follows the steps of Yellow Jacket alums Keith Benson, JaVale McGee, Chris Webber and Shane Battier as impact players during their first year on campus. He is by far the tallest player on the roster and offers the Buckeyes a post power on both sides of the basketball.
He’s no Greg Oden or Jared Sullinger, but without a doubt, Amir Williams has the talent to grow into an All-American candidate in the future.
Hometown: Birmingham, MI
High School: Detroit Country Day
Position: Center
Year: Freshman
Height: 6-11
Weight: 220
High School Accolades:
– 2011 McDonalds All-American
– 2011 Parade All-American
– 18 PPG (2011)
– 12.6 RPG (2011)
– Finished 3rd in Michigan Mr. Basketball Voting (2011)
A four star prospect, Williams was considered the 10th best center in the 2011 class according to Rivals.com and ESPNU ranked him the fourth best of his class. Without a doubt, Williams enters the Big Ten as the best center of the class, and it’s undisputed that his shot blocking ability is the best of his class and already at the top of the conference. Some believe that Williams could contribute right away, but the truth of the matter is he has to earn Thad Matta’s trust. If he does, the Buckeyes put a solid rebounder and shot blocker on the floor that could be the extra spark Ohio State needs to have a successful season.
High School Film:
When watching game tape on Amir Williams, the first thing that jumps off the screen beyond his size, is his intangibles that he already possesses. The way he sets up offensively, moves the basketball from the post, and sets up for the defensive rebound are parts of his game that are ready for the college game. You’ll also notice at times that he is outplayed by defenses. Something that he’ll look to work on in the college game. Of course, at this level, he shouldn’t be triple or quadruple teamed.
If you get a chance to head into YouTube land, make sure you watch some of the individual games that the great folks at UM Hoops have posted. (Yes there are great folks that like Michigan, though It’s hard to fathom).
Williams was told right away by this Ohio State staff that he could play early if he really showed he wanted and deserved the spot. That begins now as we start the season on Sunday. Though he might not be on the court to start games, Williams could be a huge role player. Something that the youngster is familiar with. As a sophomore at Detroit Country Day, he was asked to play behind two division I recruits. He still caught the eye of head coach Kurt Keener as a sophomore filling his role off the bench.
“(Amir) has developed physically. He’s gotten stronger and has improved his jumping. He’s always had a good shooting touch, good hands, and very sound moves around the basket. Now he can take the bumping, the hitting and the pushing that goes with playing the post. He takes that contact and can still finish plays and score. That translates into being able to get his shot off anywhere from 12 feet in.
“He’s got an assortment of jump shots, jump hooks, quick moves — and if he gets any space he’s going to dunk on you. If he was on any other team in the state he would be a starter. It just happens that he plays behind two seniors that are high-level Division 1 players.”
The same might be the case in his first year of college basketball. If he signed on to play at Michigan, DePaul, Florida, or Purdue — he would be starting in his first year. You got to like a player though that wants to earn it on the court.
And is willing to help the team at all costs to personal success.
Weaknesses:
Like mentioned above, there are times where William almost falls asleep in games. Despite being a lot more talented than the talent he faced, there were times when he was shut down completely out of games. There is a whole focus factor that is a part of the college game. You can’t let your mind take a second off, or you will turnover the basketball or put your offense in rough shape with bad shot selection. One thing we know is that he will be demanded to make smart decisions and keep his head in the ballgame, so if he sees playing time, this is almost a non-issue.
There is also a lot of room on Williams’ frame to add some muscle and strength to help endure a full season in the Big Ten. It’s going to get physical in the paint and it is unwarranted if the frosh can handle it game in and game out. His style of play prevents him from getting banged up, but it’s one hell of a physical transition from the high school to college level of play.
Though he is a good passer, he does have to improve getting the ball out when facing pressure, instead of either putting it up, or turning it over. He has great vision for open lanes and finding an open man on the perimeter if he is comfortable with the basketball, but sometimes when facing intense pressure his natural selection on the court leaves him and he panics. With that being said, he still fits well in the Ohio State philosophy, because he is a passing big man. If he sees someone open on the court, he gets rid of the basketball.
What’s scary is that all of William’s flaws are easily fixable with good coaching, experience on the court, and motivation to be the best player he can be.
Strengths:
From 12-15 feet, Williams is money offensively, whether it be with his post game of facing the basket. He has a lot of weapons to his offensive game that are downright mean. Whether it be the baby hook or jump shot, Williams can burn you from ‘outside’. Deep within the paint, if given space, he will scare you with his authority.
Defensively, Williams is a shot blocking fiend. What makes him so good at it is that he is athletic enough to cover the floor and get back to content guards and smaller forwards. He also has the strength and physical intangibles to match up and swat any big man that turns his back to him. The biggest upside for Williams is the fact that he has a lot of room to grow and the talent is there for him to become an unbelievable player on both sides of the basketball. A lot of scouts and OSU fans have compared him to Dallas Lauderdale. If he carries that scrappy mentality this season, you’re looking at the best incoming rebounder and defensive player to the conference. That’s the persona the Buckeyes need filled in the front court.
Offensively, the youngster does a good job with positioning him self for the best chance to score. He isn’t your typical banger inside, but his athletic ability allows him to move on the court like a small forward. His frame is only going to grow, which gives him an outside shot at hitting that seven foot plateau.
Role for this Team:
Can you imagine Amir Williams sitting in the post, looking for open shooters, just to find Jared Sullinger on the wing ready to drop the trey? Well that’s a very high possibility at points in 2011. When Amir enters the game, it creates a more athletic line around him and opens up the court, so he can do what he’s best at.
Running the floor and making defensive plays.
When it comes to what Amir brings to the team in 2011, it’s mostly a defensive presence that can run with the offense, and contribute at times on the offensive glass and inside the paint. What’s good about his freshman season, is the lights aren’t being shined upon him. He has a role to fill and grow into, that will project him as an even better player in the future. The Buckeyes need that scrappy player that can get multiple things done inside in order to keep Jared Sullinger loose on the court and at the power forward position.
He could work his way into the starting lineup at some point of the season and is a big part of the upcoming success of this team. To start the season, he’ll play a pivotal role of the bench spelling Jared Sullinger and Evan Ravenel, while giving the defense a spark at points of the ballgame.
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