Jay Williams Says Irving Not New Jersey's Best Yet

Former Duke point guard Jay Williams expects incoming freshman Kyrie Irving to be a leader on the court next year, but he isn't quite ready to call him the best point guard  in his home state's history.

"You know, people already label him the best point guard to come out of New Jersey, and I told him, 'You haven't proven anything on the college level yet,'" Williams said at K Academy, Duke Basketball's fantasy camp. "'[When] you're considered... to be a top-five NBA Draft pick in 2011... you have the biggest 'X' on your back [for] everyone that steps on the court to play against you. So if anything, you have to prepare harder.'"

Williams said he anticipates that Irving will likely have ups and downs like any other freshman point guard. The high standards will be an adjustment in the transition form high school basketball to the college level, he added.

But what makes Irving different is his unwavering confidence that Williams said amounts to a positive sort of cockiness. Irving will wear No. 1 on his jersey next season, becoming the first Duke player to do so under head coach Mike Krzyzewski's tenure. But with wearing that number comes added pressure and responsibility, Williams noted.

"We joke around because that was the number I wanted to wear coming into school," Williams said. "He got the opportunity to wear it, and I told him, you know, 'To whom much is given, much is expected. So understand that just because everyone tells you how great you are, don't let that go to your head.'"

Williams sees Irving's confidence in his mannerism and insistence on not only matching the greats, but also surpassing them. When the two played a casual game of HORSE together in March and Williams hit a couple of wild shots, Irving's competitive nature showed itself, Williams said.

"First of all, he has drive. Secondly, he has a very old school mentality. He's very explosive and very quick, but he understands how to change speeds. He has the [youth]  of someone his age with the mentality of that guy in the park that's 35, 36 [that] understands how to play, which is phenomenal for somebody his age."