Jaylin Williams making most of his time with the Razorbacks
FORT SMITH, Ark. (BVM) — After his senior season at Northside High School, forward Jaylin Williams was named the 2019-2020 Gatorade Arkansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Williams became the third player in the last four seasons to take home the award and choose to stay in-state and play for the University of Arkansas. Williams’ college career is now underway as he’s played in 20 games so far this season for the Razorbacks.
Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing in at 245 pounds, Williams led the Grizzlies to a 20-10 overall record. During his last season with the Grizzlies, Williams averaged a double-double. He scored 18.7 points per game and grabbed 12.2 rebounds. He also added 2.7 assists to his stat sheet. Unfortunately, Williams’ prep career would come to an end after a 40-37 loss to Central High School in the semifinals.
Earlier in his prep career, Williams captured a Class 6A state title and was named Division I Player of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as a junior. He’d also reached the state championship his sophomore season, but the Grizzlies fell to North Little Rock.
“Jaylin Williams can do it all,” Bryant High School boys basketball coach Mike Abrahamson said in a Gatorade press release. “He can post up, shoot, drive, pass, handle the ball, and he makes a huge difference in games with his defensive presence. I’ve never known him to have a game where he didn’t play a major factor in the outcome.”
Beyond Thankful🙏🏽 @GrizzliesNHS @RazorbackMBB @Isaiah_joe10 pic.twitter.com/ktZ3ruOIvd
— Jaylin Williams (@Jay_MWilliams_) August 10, 2020
Along with his outstanding play on the court, Williams did work off the court. He has volunteered his time to help those affected by past floods. He also helped out at youth basketball camps. In addition to his work off the court, Williams also maintained a 3.81 GPA.
Following a prosperous high school career, Williams has continued playing for the Razorbacks, who he officially signed with last April.
Officially A Razorback!🐗📝 @RazorbackMBB pic.twitter.com/VZbHeNs8bq
— Jaylin Williams (@Jay_MWilliams_) April 16, 2020
The Razorbacks are off to a 17-5 start this season, and Williams has been one of the main reasons they are the No. 3 team in the SEC. He has played in 20 games and has averaged 15.3 minutes per game, 48.8 FG%, and has hit 80% of his free throws. Two weeks ago, Williams scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds in Arkansas’ one-point win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Look for Williams to continue to make an impact on the court for Arkansas.
“Arkansas is my home state,” Williams said in a tweet. “I grew up watching the Razorbacks play, thinking that when I go there, we were to win every game. It’s always been a dream of mine to put on that Razorback jersey.”
