By: Kevin Moses
Dayton Williams
Twitter: @daytonwilliams_
Height: 6’5
Class of 2024
School: Butler Traditional High School
Williams is an electric athlete who loves to attack the rim with some crafty moves and sick handles with some high-fly finishes. Dayton makes transition magic and uses his speed-leaping ability to throw down some monster jams. This past season, Dayton averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Dayton started the season averaging about 30 points per game scoring 33, 31, and 28 in his first 3 games, Then against the #2 team in the state, Dayton went off for an incredible double-double finishing with 28 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. But his average dropped after playing through an injury at the end of the season. Entering the AAU session playing for Griffin Elite, Dayton’s goals were to get a D1 offer, a post-grad offer, a JUCO offer, and D1 interest for 2025 in case he chose to take a post-grad year for more development. Dayton is focusing on improving shooting more consistently this summer because he had games where he made 4-6 threes in a row and then the next day he couldn’t get anything to fall. He also felt he could work on his ball handling, understanding that his position at the next level will change a lot and this has to become one of his greatest strengths.
The most motivating thing that happened to Dayton was winning the Stan Hardin Award (6A Regional Player of the Year). Dayton questioned his skills until he was awarded this achievement. Playing through injury truly taught Dayton how to deal with adversity and established his toughness and grit to never stop battling and quit on his team. Leadership in its purest form as he did everything he could to be there for his team to help them win despite his injury. Resilience that can be trusted. Coaches should know Dayton is a complete player who can be trusted at all times no matter what happens out there he will find a way to still impact the game. Dayton is certainly next-level ready but prepared to earn his way with heart and hard work matting all these skills. Still, a high-level talent that will have a huge impact on any roster that values all he can bring.