2022 NCAA Tournament: 3 things you may not know about Auburn's Jaylin Williams

Scott Keepfer, Greenville News
·2 min read
Auburn University forward Jaylin Williams (2) shoots near University of Miami forward Anthony Walker (1) during the first half of the NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball Tournament preliminary round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 20, 2022.
Auburn University forward Jaylin Williams (2) shoots near University of Miami forward Anthony Walker (1) during the first half of the NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball Tournament preliminary round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 20, 2022.

Here are three things you may not know about 6-foot-8 Auburn junior forward Jaylin Williams:

Williams has a lot of fans in Brantley County, Georgia

Williams is from Nahunta, Georgia (pop. 1,013), a small town about 40 minutes west of Brunswick, Georgia. He starred in both basketball and football at Brantley County High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection in basketball. Brantley County Schools celebrated “Jaylin Williams Day” on Friday.

“We are so proud of Jaylin and his Auburn teammates and want to show our support as the team heads into March Madness tournament play. Jaylin, Brantley County is behind you! Keep pushing!” read a Brantley County Schools’ Facebook page post last Tuesday.

Williams took an elbow for the team

Williams chipped a tooth after absorbing an accidental elbow to the face courtesy of teammate Walker Kessler during Friday’s victory against Jacksonville State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Regional in Greenville, South Carolina.

Williams, who left the game with 14:28 remaining and did not return, had dental work done later on Friday. He passed concussion protocol, was checked out again Sunday morning and was expected to return to action in Auburn’s second-round game against Miami Sunday evening.

Auburn Tigers forward Jaylin Williams (2) is helped off with a mouth injury during the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, March 18, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Jacksonville State Gamecocks 80-61.
Auburn Tigers forward Jaylin Williams (2) is helped off with a mouth injury during the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, March 18, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Jacksonville State Gamecocks 80-61.

Williams remains important cog for Tigers

Williams has received much praise for the way he has handled a diminished role this season. A starter last season who averaged 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 26 minutes a game, he has been relegated to a reserve role behind freshman Jabari Smith – the highest-rated freshman in program history – but opted not to enter the transfer portal.

Despite seeing his averages essentially cut in half to 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 13.8 minutes per game, Williams has proven an important part of the Tigers’ 28-5 season. In Friday’s first-round NCAA Tournament victory, he came off the bench to score eight points in only 6½ minutes of playing time, making all three of his shots from the floor, including a pair of three-pointers.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: 3 things you may not know about Auburn's Jaylin Williams