It's no secret Ohio State is short on numbers for the upcoming 2017–18 season.
The Buckeyes are especially thin in the backcourt.
Fifth-year senior Kam Williams and junior C.J. Jackson are the only two recruited scholarship guards currently on Ohio State's roster. There is just one other guard on the team: former walk-on Joey Lane.
That will likely cause some issues for Chris Holtmann in Year 1 as head coach. Having just two recruited scholarship guards is far from an ideal situation. And just one of those, Jackson, has any experience at point guard.
Earlier this summer, Holtmann hinted in a meeting with reporters senior forward Jae'Sean Tate would likely see some run at the point, if needed. And on Thursday, Williams revealed he's been working extensively this summer on playing point guard in case he's called upon.
"That’s literally all I’ve been working on this summer,” Williams said.
Spoiler: Williams probably will be needed.
The offseason departure of JaQuan Lyle and last week's announcement of Braxton Beverly's decision to ask for his release and transfer left the Buckeyes with only Jackson as a true point guard. Williams, widely-regarded as one of the Big Ten's best shooters, doesn't have much experience playing with the ball in his hands despite the fact he's entering his fifth year at Ohio State.
As a result, the Baltimore native has spent an extensive amount of time this offseason playing on the ball rather than off it.
“Basically, it’s not playing at one speed," Williams said. "Me being off the ball, you’ve kind of got to be fast to get open and read screens. Just focusing on, for example, when I have the ball not going fast, fast, fast."
Williams also noted he's watched film this summer of NBA greats like Chris Paul and Damian Lillard to see how some of the best in the world play the position.
"Just seeing their imagination and so many things you can do being at a different position," he said.
Through the first couple months of the offseason, Williams said he's gained more and more confidence with the ball in his hands. Now, it's about translating it to game-like situations.
“I’ve always known I can dribble but actually having the confidence to do what I work on in drills by myself or if I’m working out with a coach," Williams said. "Just doing it every day and then when we play just do it. If I turn it over, I turn it over. That’s what the summer is for. Just building up my confidence every single day at that role and I feel like by the time the season rolls around I’ll be good.”
It's far from a perfect solution, but for Ohio State, it's pretty much the only option right now given the circumstances. The Buckeyes are going to need just about every player on their roster to do something they're probably not used to doing next season.
"I’m excited for that challenge because C.J. is going to need some help because we’re short on bodies," Williams said. "That’s pretty much all I’ve really been working on. I haven’t put a lot of focus on my scoring and my shooting because I know I can do that. That’s been my biggest progression up to this point.”
