April 8
It has been a busy offseason for Duke guard Jason Williams. It's been trophy time -- but knowing Jason as well as I have over the last three years, he would trade all his player-of-the-year awards for another gold trophy that said "NCAA championship." Of course, that one went to Juan Dixon, Gary Williams and company as Maryland celebrated in Atlanta.

	Dickie V sees Duke's Jason Williams (right) as a slam-dunk star in the NBA.

Jason Williams must have needed a U-Haul truck to take home all of his hardware. His most recent is the John Wooden Award, which epitomizes what this young man is all about. All the characteristics that legendary ex-UCLA coach Wooden believed in are part of this young man's makeup. They symbolize what Williams is all about.

The Blue Devils guard said he was proud to receive this award because he believes in pride, trust and integrity -- all the elements that relate to Wooden.

Now I want to make clear my views on Williams' abilities. Earlier in the season, I said on several occasions that Williams would be my choice at point guard over any other NBA player except Jason Kidd.

I said it then and I'll repeat it now: If I were coaching today on the NBA level and thinking long-term, I would love to have Williams as part of my future. His upside is tremendous.

Did I mean he's the second-best talent at point guard right now? Over the likes of Gary Payton and company, no. But when you look at the long haul, he would be my choice, flat-out. I respect the choices of others, but that's simply my view. When we look three years down the road at his status in the NBA, people are going to be talking about him as a superstar.

Williams has everything you'd want ability-wise, and he has all the qualities of a leader. He can score, shoot the trifecta and create opportunities for others with his passing ability. And he has the strength to endure an 82-game schedule.

Enough said. That's simply my feeling and the respect I have for his talent. I certainly respect the talent of the many great point guards doing their thing in the NBA right now. As a lover of basketball, my choice for the long haul would be Williams.