Although Donny Williams started for North Suburban Conference co-champion Stevenson last season, he remained under the radar.
That’s no longer the case for the 6-foot guard.
“I realized last year that I wasn’t in the spotlight as much, and I was patient in seeing my teammates shine and knowing that I was helping the team win,” Williams said. “Now my role is definitely changing.”
Williams and guard Rocco Pagliocca, who will be seniors, are the only mainstays returning for the Patriots (22-11, 11-3). Williams believes he’s ready for that spotlight.
“Having to carry more of the load is something I’m comfortable with,” he said. “I’ll have to be way more versatile with a lot more decision-making. All for the good of the team. I love it so far.”
Indeed, Williams has taken to the role quite well this summer. At Riverside-Brookfield on Friday, he scored 30 points in Stevenson’s 51-49 loss to DePaul Prep, which has won three straight state titles in Class 2A and 3A.
“I hit two early threes, and I saw that I could get a lot of good shots,” Williams said. “I started to feel it, and I was able to adapt to the defense.”
That’s important for Williams, who has the ball in his hands more than he did last season, when then-senior guard Aidan Bardic initiated a lot of the offense.
“I’ve always played the point on my other teams, so having the ball in my hands a lot is something I’m used to,” Williams said. “I can bring those tools to my school team, and I’m already learning a lot.”
Williams, who hit a team-high 47 3-pointers and averaged 11.4 points last season, has already showed that he could do more at times. He put up 25 points against York during Palatine’s Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Classic and scored 20 points in a conference game against eventual 4A state runner-up Warren. The Patriots won both.
Williams was also third on the team with 57 assists.
“He’s been pretty consistent, and it’s been nice to see his game expand,” Stevenson coach Will Benson said. “He’s gotten really good at shooting off the dribble all the way out to the 3-point line, and he’s crafty in getting to the rim.
“There are only so many possessions in a game and so many shots to go around, and it was tough at times last year to find him a lot of shots. I don’t think that will be a problem this year.”
Benson is also quick to point out how well Williams has defended this summer. Williams attributes improvements in that aspect of his game to weight training.
“I’ve always relied on my quickness on defense, and I’m blessed with pretty good length in my arms,” he said. “With being stronger, I’ve learned how to keep my stance and be strong in helping body with the guys I’m guarding.”
Williams and Pagliocca will be difficult to guard as one of the best backcourt duos in the area.
“He’s someone I love playing with, and he’s been able to show all of the things he can do,” Pagliocca said. “You can see his confidence growing, and it’s cool to see the big steps he’s already taken. He’s going to be very big for us.”
Williams is suddenly getting the attention of college coaches too. He heard from several NCAA Division III teams after his 30-point game, and that process could pick up steam when the Patriots play in an event in Rockford this weekend and then when Williams plays AAU basketball in July.
“I’d very much like to play in college, and it’s been good to be able to push my name out there,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we progress as a team.”
Williams knows he has a key part to play in that.
“It was so important how the older guys mentored me,” he said, “and now it’s important for me to do the same for younger players.”