MEMPHIS – Considering Vince Williams Jr.’s developmental trajectory this season, it’s only fitting that his rapid ascension has now landed him among the NBA’s rising stars.
Williams was officially named by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as a roster addition to the NBA’s Panini Rising Stars challenge during the upcoming All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
The second-year Grizzlies swingman is set to join the league’s top rookie and second-year standouts such as Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Scoot Henderson and Jalen Williams in a four-team tournament showcase Friday night.
Williams was added as an injury replacement Monday, a few days after the initial rosters were set. But it’s the latest example of how one of the NBA’s fastest improving young prospects refuses to be overlooked as his breakout play shines on both ends of the court.
One of the biggest bright spots in an otherwise bleak Memphis season derailed by injuries, Williams is the lone representative from the Grizzlies to participate in All-Star Weekend.
“It feels good, but I’ve got to keep my head down and keep working,” said Williams, whose latest effort included a career-high nine assists in a game-high 37 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Pelicans. “Coach (Taylor Jenkins) and all the guys keep pushing me. It’s my first time (at All-Star Weekend), so I’m going to take everything in and just go out there and have fun.”
With determination and a growing skillset, Williams worked his way onto the NBA’s biggest stages in Indianapolis alongside prospects who entered the league with far bigger profiles. He was picked 47th overall in the second round of the 2022 draft – the last of four players drafted by Memphis that year – and opened this season on a Two-Way developmental contract.
But injuries this season that have ultimately sidelined as many as seven rotation players for significant stretches have opened doors for Williams to emerge. Earlier this season, Williams secured a rotation role by effectively taking on defensive assignments against elite NBA wings such as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant.
In January, when the Grizzlies posted their lone winning month of the season at 8-7, the 6-foot-6 versatile Williams was converted to a three-year contract. Williams’ shooting and playmaking blossomed the past two months to round out his game. Entering the week, he averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 34.6 minutes over a 13-game stretch.
Along the way, Williams has essentially solidified himself as a key rotation contributor into the future when frontline stars Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart return from injuries. For now, Williams is garnering more respect and attention for his vast progress in all aspects of the game. That includes taking on more point guard duties in recent games, with Williams dishing eight or more assists in each of the last three contests while initiating the offense.
“He’s just got a workers hat,” Jenkins said of Williams’ relentless approach. “He continues to just show progress. He does anything it takes. He loves to compete and wants to win so bad. You can see, just from his rookie year to now, how much he’s risen in his overall game. He’s a true example of a rising star, making the most of his opportunities early in his career.”
Williams credits Bane and former teammate Dillon Brooks for lifting his confidence and pushing him in workouts as he spent most of his rookie season with the G League’s Memphis Hustle.
“He’s a dog and competes every night on the defensive end,” Bane said of the impact Williams makes. “He’s selfless, out there just to make the right play. He has an impact on winning, and it’s not always with scoring or flashy plays. But he’s going to make the open shot, he’s going to dive on the floor and get a loose ball. He’s the type of guy I want on my team, for sure.”
Williams also proved to be the type of guy the NBA elevated among its teams of rising stars.
Although he’s been sidelined the past month with a foot injury, Bane constantly remains in Williams’ ear even more now to ensure his understudy continues to emerge. And it was Brooks’ role as a dogged, mentally tough wing defender that Williams has taken over for the Grizzlies.
“I sat down a lot and got to learn a lot from Dillon and Desmond,” Williams shared. “Just learning to go out and put the work in, at the end of the day. Those guys made me a lot better.”
Fittingly, one of Williams’ final tune-ups before his All-Star Weekend trip comes Wednesday against Brooks, who signed as a free agent last summer with the Rockets. Before heading into the break, the Grizzlies look to end a nine-game losing streak when they host a back-to-back set against Houston on Wednesday and Milwaukee on Thursday.
For Williams, make that a back-to-back-to-back set.
Because on Friday, the Grizzlies’ resident Rising Star is due in Indianapolis for the All-Star event.
Of course, rising to the challenge against that type of workload is nothing new.
“I’m (going to) hold my own,” Williams assured. “I’ll be alright. Friday, I’ll just go out there and have fun. The other two games (Wednesday and Thursday), I’m going to take seriously.”
Just like the league is taking him.