Denham Springs guard Jeremy Williams just needed a chance.
In his freshman debut for the Yellow Jackets, coach Kevin Caballero remembers what Williams told him when they broke the huddle in a summer-league game.
โ โCoach, Iโm ready if you need me,โ โ Caballero recalled.
Caballero didnโt think much of the comment at the time, but Williams ended up starting 32 games that season.
Now, on a team with six seniors, the junior is one of three team captains. Williams leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game on 43% shooting.
The 6-foot-2 guard also averages 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
Williams recently became a 1,000-point scorer for a Yellow Jackets team that is 18-5.
Leadership
Williams understands a leadership role is rare for juniors.
โIf youโre a senior, youโre the big dog on campus,โ he said. โOn this team, it really doesnโt matter who wants to be a leader. ... Anybody could be a leader.โ
He doesnโt shy away from correcting teammates, even if theyโre the seniors because he knows it's all about helping the team be its best.
Williams has made strides in his game since his freshman season, but the one aspect he's most proud of is his leadership.
โItโs leadership by example,โ Caballero said. โYou donโt want to point him out and say, โHey, look at him.โ But you donโt have to. The other kids know, and they see.โ
โNo quit in Jeremyโ
Caballero's analysis of Williams starts with his personality.
โHe brings it every day,โ Cabarello said. โIt doesnโt matter what time of the year it is. Heโs a fierce competitor.โ
Caballero pointed to Denham Springsโ 62-55 win over Central last Friday. Williams scored 15 points to lead the team, but 10 of those points came in the fourth quarter and overtime.
โA lot of kids, after about three quarters, they would give up on themselves,โ Caballero said of Williams' slow start to the game. โBut not him. No quit in Jeremy.โ
Williamsโ will to win is evident and he can score on just about anyone, but his hustle really stand out.
โI canโt tell you how many times (heโs grabbed) an offensive rebound off a missed free throw,โ Caballero said. โA charging foul, a loose ball on the ground. Thatโs all because you either have that or you donโt. He does.โ
Heโs the type of player any coach would love to have.
โHeโs committed himself to wanting to win,โ Cabarello said. โOne of the first text messages after we were beaten by Central in (last season's state) semifinals was from him, โCoach, Iโm going to make it up to you.โ โ
Spotlight on Jeremy
Williams started as a dual-sport athlete, also playing football. His dedication to basketball drove him to choose the hardwood.
โAfter my football practice was just hell,โ he said. โIโd come over (to the basketball gym for) 30 minutes, and just put shots up like itโs nothing.โ
He describes his past three years playing the sport as pure dedication to the game he loves.
โIโm here,โ he said. โA thousand points, still starting, getting a lot of interviews. Itโs just a great accomplishment, and you just want to thank God.โ
The added spotlight may be new to Williams, but he doesnโt shy away from more eyes on him. Heโs always been confident in his game, and he relishes each interview.
โI enjoy these little moments,โ he said. โI come back to this on YouTube. I watch myself play all the time. Itโs just really a great accomplishment for me.โ
While he doesnโt feel pressure from more attention, he still can let nerves creep up in critical moments of games.
โWeโre human,โ Williams said. โIโm still a kid at the end of the day. Iโm only 17.โ
He staves off those nerves by staying positive. The junior stays focused by keeping his mind on aspects outside of the game, like finding his mother in the stands. When Williams sees his family in the stands, it motivates him to play even harder.
Another tactic he employs to stay calm is singing songs to himself during a game. His favorite artists to sing along to are Mariah the Scientist and Ella Mai.
โI like girl artists,โ Williams said. โIโm just a chill dude. I listen to some guys, but I just like the girl music a little more.โ
The key is not let the negative thoughts creep in. He knows any change in mindset can affect his team.
โCanโt be nervous,โ he said. โIf youโre nervous, it affects the team. Itโs really all about having confidence.โ
Love for the sport
The first time he dribbled a basketball at 10 years old, the sport changed his heart.
Basketball creates moments, memories and long-term goals for Williams. One of his fondest memories is the first basket he scored in a game.
โAlmost made me cry the other day when I rewatched it,โ he said.
He was on the Developing Character DC AAU team. His teammate attempted a layup but air-balled it. Williams quickly nabbed the loose ball and just threw it up.
โIt went in, and I just went down the floor and just started flexing,โ he said. โMy coach was hyped up. My family was hyped up.โ
That love of the game has never left. He never wants to lose, but he knows the sport is bigger than the final score.
โBasketball is just a sport that you just can play to have fun,โ he said. โI guarantee you, having fun and loving the game is more than just about winning and losing.โ
โThis is my lifeโ
Williamsโ drive can be traced to that first summer league game with Denham Springs.
All heโs wanted was a chance, and each time heโs been given the opportunity, heโs capitalized. He now has a college offer from United International College in Dania Beach, Florida.
โThat offer right there really just told me a lot,โ Williams said. โI was praying a lot. My confidence really boosted up because somebody gave me a chance to bring my talents.โ
The sport has offered him an avenue to continue expressing the love and care he shows for everyone. Basketball reveals character, and for Williams, thatโs loving others.
โItโs my heart now,โ Williams said. โThis is my life.โ
