MANILA, Philippines — A lot of interest surrounds the unveiling of Phoenix import Johnathan (J3) Williams III as the Super LPG Fuel Masters make their PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut against NLEX at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow night. Williams, 28, is a legit NBA veteran, averaging 5.2 points in 39 total games, including six starts, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards over two seasons and has glowing creds.
“J3 is very quiet, very selfless,” said Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin. “Sometimes, I tell him to shoot it but he likes hitting the open (man).” There’s no doubt Williams can score the ball and once fired 39 points for Gonzaga University in a 111-105 win over Florida in a 2017 US NCAA D-1 contest. He netted at least 20 points in nine of 52 games while averaging 13.6 for the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B-League D-1 last season. But his ability to get his teammates involved in offense is what makes the 6-7 3/8 import special in Jarin’s eyes.
Williams played on the US national teams that won the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 and 2012 FIBA U17 World Cup titles. He saw action in two seasons at the University of Memphis and two more at Gonzaga. “Johnathan is versatile on the floor and has a number of ways he can impact a game,” said Missouri coach Frank Haith. “His size and skillset are unique and he can present mismatch problems. He is smooth on the perimeter and is long and active and has a great feel of how to attack his opponent and keep his teammates involved. He comes from a tremendous family and has a great sense of what it takes to be a leader on the court.” In the NBA, his teammates included LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo and Bradley Beal. Williams played in Turkey, Israel, Germany, Italy and Japan before signing up with Phoenix.