BY ZACH SMART
While various tools and tests gauge determinant aspects such as quickness, strength, vertical leaping ability, wingspan, and so forth, there is nary an existent device capable of actually assessing one’s heart.
Heart, two-way grit, mental fortitude, and unbridled swagger are factors which ultimately make Bucknell-commit Jayden Williams a recruit of entertainment value.
The 5-foot-10 PSA Cardinals product possesses boundless energy.
Think of the emotional, high-wired John Starks, revving up a jubilant Madison Square Garden crowd during his memorable Knicks heyday.
Picture the quintessential fearless and full throttle competitor, hell-bent on victory.
Such is the presence, the psychological edge if you will, with which Williams infuses a lineup.
The Bronx native is now the cornerstone and bulwark of a young Blair Academy (NJ) program.
He is widely recognized for his positional versatility, with a knack for leaving his fingerprints on every connotation of the stat sheet.
His consistency as a rebounding guard is an embodiment of his gritty all around game, one free of limitations.
Defensively, offensively, Williams is able to bang bodies in the post and snatch boards. He routinely beats out more physically imposing and taller players for 50-50 balls.
Williams tuned up his focus considerably last winter, when Blair Academy (NJ) head coach Joe Mantegna began posting final game stats during a team group thread.
Williams vividly recalled perusing the stats. He recalls noticing how Blair had out-boarded a particular opponent, handily. The difference on the glass wound up being a major decisive factor, catapulting Blair to the win.
Williams internalized it.
It certainly didn’t require an epiphany, a self-revelation of any sort, or deep analytical breakdown for Williams to realize that a speed-ball, go-go attack was necessary for Blair.
In atoning for size deficiencies, Blair employs an uptempo attack rife with versatile scoring threats.
Patriot League Bound
Nationally reputable academics, the cohesive honesty and integrity of the coaching staff, and the pace at which Bucknell actively recruited Williams were the deciding factors in Williams choosing the Bison.
Williams cited his comfort with the surrounding pieces and environment as deal sealers.
“Coach B-MAC (assistant coach Branden McDonald) was super consistent throughout the recruiting process,” Williams said.
“The vibes on campus were great. The whole staff was there the whole time. It just felt like the right situation for my game to grow.”
The growing process has not culminated just yet for the established, rising senior.
Williams will incorporate a new concept to his growing list of immeasurable intangibles next season.
Mantegna expects his lead guard to develop a commanding locker room voice.
It is a more vocal role which entails orchestrating practice with an edge, getting everyone locked in.
It entails playing the role of mentor to a younger core. It requires calling teammates out and being confrontational, albeit never in a disrespectful way.
While Williams has always prided himself on playing with a heavy dose of swagger, he vows to lead by action and words next season.
A proven navigator of the searing New York pressure cooker, Williams wants the ball in his hands during crunch time.
He’s cognizant that the onus is on him to seize the leadership mantel at Blair Academy, which again entertains one of the nation’s most unforgiving strengths of schedule.
The seasoned poise will resonate every time he steps foot on the floor next season.
“I am going to carry myself and play like what I am–a Bucknell commit,” Williams explained.
Blair returns a torrent of young talent in 2023-24. Williams has a fleet of dependable scoring sources at his disposal.
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In the midst of a transitional summer, Class of 2026 guard Deron Rippey Jr. has developed a college-ready game with certifiable three-level scoring.
The 6-foot-1 Rippey solidified his status as a deadly shot maker during his recent play in Peach Jam.
Beyond his offensive efficiency, Rippey Jr. was also an active ingredient defensively. He was able to provide stout on ball tactics, melting away the passing lanes.
Rippey Jr. has also improved as a quarterback, shouldering the purity of vision which enables him to whiz timely assists.
Rippey, who has stockpiled Division-I offers this summer, added University of Washington to his updated list this week.
Blair Academy possesses another big weapon, both figuratively and literally, in 6-foot-11 pick-and-pop four man Jack Bailey.
An inside-outside scoring presence with deep 3-point range, Bailey is a veritable Swiss army knife type.
He can put the ball on the deck like a guard and playmake in the half-court set. As he continues to pack muscle onto his spindly frame, he oozes of multi-layered potential.
He’s a floor-spreader with a catch and shoot presence and bird’s eye view of the rim.
Bailey is also a multi-positional defender.
Also known for a high academic pedigree, the Class of 2025 Bailey holds offers from Iowa, St. John’s, Oklahoma State, Iona, Monmouth, St. Bonaventure, Manhattan, and several others. Expect Bailey’s stock to continue to tip the high major scales this ensuing season.
Marked Man
Though he may not have the same lofty five star status, maximized media attention, or fanfare as some of the more acclaimed recruits on the AAU circuit, Williams’ coach-ability and production sets him apart.
He may not generate highlight reel buzz or instantly go viral with a dazzling tomahawk dunk.
Yet it is the relentless fight in Williams’ game and mental toughness which simply never seems to dissipate.
“Jayden is the living example of what loyalty is,” PSA Cardinals Executive Director Terrance “Munch” Williams explained.
“He’s been 10 toes down since the first day he walked into the PSA program four years ago. He’s always understood the assignment and that has been to get us to the winners circle. Simply put, we do not make it to the Elite Eight at Peach Jam if that man is not with us.”
