Sebastian Williams-Adams announced his commitment to Auburn on Sunday. The 2025 four-star forward adds to Auburn’s growing recruiting class, joining four-star guards Kaden Magwood and Simon Walker. Williams-Adams fits the mold of the long, athletic wings that Bruce Pearl loves.
Playing with JL3 Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer, Williams-Adams averaged 15 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on a solid 56.7% true shooting mark, according to Synergy. His overwhelming mobility fuels impressive range on the defensive end and an impressive slashing package.
Sebastian Williams-Adams is a talented defender
Despite only blocking 0.5 shots per game, Williams-Adams consistently imposed his will as a weak-side rim protector. At 6’8 with a long wingspan, he bothers shooters around the rim with that length and size. Few high-schoolers with his height boast the speed and change of direction skill that he does, suggesting a high shot-blocking ceiling.
sebastian williams-adams (’25 4*) dominated protecting the rim at eybl, flying in from the weak side with insane mobility for his size+length coupled with great instincts and awareness
i think he’s an NBA talent pic.twitter.com/yyRLGaLtWI
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) May 1, 2024
He sometimes hunts blocks he shouldn’t and zones out off of the ball, fouling when he’s caught out of position. These are all common problems young defenders face that tend to improve with time. Williams-Adams is already an active help defender on the perimeter, digging in gaps and closing off driving angles.
His aforementioned mobility may flash most impressive when Williams-Adams defends the ball. At 6’8, he defends everyone from guards to centers. When he switches into small guards, he has the lateral burst and fluidity to contain drives. Against taller players, he bothers with his length, even if he isn’t the strongest player yet.
He projects as a high-level college defender even in year one. As he grows, it’s easy to imagine Williams-Adams evolving into a legitimate NBA prospect and an impactful pro defender. His offense is more of a question mark even if his tools could lead to a high offensive ceiling.
Sebastian Williams Adams’s offensive outlook
At the moment, Williams-Adams is most comfortable as a driver. He was one of the most prolific drivers in the country this past summer. Attempting an absurd 70.9% of his shots at the rim (as a perimeter-oriented player), he pressures the hoop at an elite level. He’s a solid finisher as well, converting 62.5% of his shots at the rim.
sebastian williams adams took an absurd 70.9% of his shots at the rim this eybl season as a 6’7ish wing, finishing a strong 62.5% there
no perimeter player i tracked in the 2025 class topped williams adams’ rim frequency, the slashing production was high level pic.twitter.com/eBpgkbtR5K
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) September 12, 2024
Williams-Adams wins with his explosiveness and coordination. He’s especially deadly in the open floor where he doesn’t have to rely on his inconsistent handle as much as he does in the half-court. At the next level, he must create more consistent separation to maximize his slashing. He currently wins primarily with his physical tools, barging through and around overmatched defenders.
Those tools allow Williams-Adams to draw a ton of fouls. He posted an excellent 0.58 free-throw rate, shooting 69.6% at the line. Even against college (and possibly NBA) defenders, Williams-Adams’ speed and size will remain outliers and should make him difficult to guard without fouling.
Improving his jumper will also help as a slasher, as he’s not a potent shooter at the moment. This past EYBL season, Williams-Adams took just 20 threes in 15 games, making 15% of them. His low volume means defenders don’t pressure him beyond the arc, offering a cushion for him to drive into.
Auburn’s outlook
If Williams-Adams can improve his jumper, his driving, cutting and playmaking would become even deadlier. We’ll need to see him improve his three-point willingness if defenses are to take him seriously from behind the line.
Williams-Adams is an excellent passer for his height. He’ll find cutters from a live dribble, move into space off-ball to pass and kick out to shooters from the paint. His high feel is another indicator of potential upside if Williams-Adams can improve as a scorer and a creator. If so, the passing will become a useful counterpunch.
Bruce Pearl’s high-powered offense should help Williams-Adams succeed immediately. We saw him handle the ball quite a bit in high school and could function as a secondary handler at times even if he begins his career playing off of the ball for most of his time.
Positive development could lead Williams-Adams to hear his name called on draft night in 2026 or 2027. His standout athletic tools, slashing and feel for the game all bode well for college and pro success. Auburn should feel fortunate to land one of the highest-ceiling prospects in the 2025 recruiting class.
