Arkansas hoops target Williams earns 4th star, new offer

Jaylin Williams of Fort Smith Northside goes up for a shot during an AAU game Friday, April 12, 2019, at Bulldog Arena in Fayetteville.

— Fort Smith Northside junior center Jaylin Williams, an Arkansas recruiting target who was recently upgraded to a four-star prospect and Top 100 player nationally by Rivals, received a visit from the Razorbacks on Wednesday.

Williams (6-10, 220 pounds), one of three in-state 2020 prospects with offers from new Arkansas coach Eric Musselman, also added a new offer from Auburn on Wednesday.

Arkansas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Tulsa and Lamar have also extended offers to Williams, who averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks while leading the Grizzlies to the Class 6A state title.

“I’m honored to be ranked a four star, but honestly, none of that stuff means anything to me,” said Williams, who landed at 100 on Rivals’ updated Top 150. “Rankings won’t do anything for you on the court.”

Auburn offered Williams after joining Arkansas and other schools in watching him play last weekend with his Woodz Elite 17-and-under AAU team in an EYBL tournament in Dallas.

“I do feel like playing on the EYBL circuit is helping me get noticed way more,” Williams said.

Williams' visitor Wednesday was Arkansas staffer Hays Myers, who was Musselman’s director of player development at Nevada and is on the road recruiting for the Razorbacks now as Musselman continues to fill out his staff.

“We talked and he just showed and told me some things about Coach Musselman,” Williams said. “He told me about himself and the coaching staff they have so far; also how they like to play.”

Williams has also spent time talking with Musselman, who was a head coach for two NBA teams before his four seasons at Nevada, where he was 110-34.

“I like his background and his knowledge of how to prepare players for the league,” Williams said.

Williams is playing AAU ball with West Memphis forward Chris Moore (6-6, 220) and Devonta Davis (6-4, 170), an Oklahoma State commit. Moore has an offer from Arkansas.

Woodz Elite went 3-1 in EYBL action last weekend after playing well in both the Real Deal in the Rock and The Warm Up AAU events earlier this month.

“We are still getting our chemistry together but I feel really confident with this team,” Williams said.

Williams, Moore and former North Little Rock star guard Moses Moody (6-6, 190) - who is at Montverde (Fla.) Academy - are Arkansas' in-state targets in the class of 2020.

Moody, who is ranked as a five-star by ESPN, comes in at 47th in Rivals’ new ranking. Davis (128) and Moore (132) are also in the top 150.

Arkansas has also offered several other top prospects in the class, including: Montverde Academy guard Cade Cunningham (5); Texas prep forward Greg Brown (6); California center Makur Maker (10); Phoenix Hillcrest Prep guards Kyree Walker (17) and Dalen Terry (31); California guard Nimari Burnett (25); New Jersey prep small forward Jabri Abdur-Rahim (42); Texas prep small forward Micha Peavy (63); and Maryland prep forward Woody Newton (72).